water slide design help needed 1

[greatbritton]

I have to design a water slide for an amusement park. It's substantial at 15m high. Can anyone point me to a relevant design code/guideline applicable to waterslides? Vertical static loads are probably pretty basic. My main concern is loading on the substructure due to dynamic vertical and horizontal loads from patrons using the slide. What design loads to use? What effects (centrifugal forces, etc) need to be considered? We had an interesting discussion on if the design load should be based on two "friendly" 300 lb guys riding the slide together. Any suggestions? Note: I've seen other stated design loads of around 1550 lbs on websites involving amusement park accidents.

 

[archeng59]

I worked on a similar project earlier this year. I found no data for a slide live load, either. the slide manufacturer recommended using 25 psf live load. after additional research, I found drawings for an existing slide at the same waterpark. The engineer for that slide used 20 psf live load. I used the 25 psf live load for the new slide foundation and support framing. hope that helps.

 

[Bagman2524]

Glancing at the 2003 International Building Code (IBC), best I can determine a Water Slide would fall under an A-5 Assembly occupancy classification which includes Amusement Parks. Table 1607.1,which lists design Live Loads, doesn't have any design LL for a water slide or anything close. Section 1607.2 states that for LL not listed in Table 1607.1 shall be determined in accordance with a method approved by the Building Official. 25 psf sounds like a reasonable LL to me. In addition to 25 psf LL, I would think you would need to consider Wind Load, Snow Load,Rain Load, Seismic Load, etc as applicable. Don't know how wind loads are determined in the UK, but in the USA standard ASCE-7 is used.

 

[archeng59]

bagman, I checked wind load and seismic loads. I did not consider snow because the park is not used in the winter, so the 25 psf LL would exceed the snow load. I didn't consider rain since there is no roof on my project. I assumed any rain would run down the slide chute.

 

[Tomfh]

I would count of chains of more than 600lbs.

 

[greatbritton]

Thanks guys. I think we'll try the 25 psf LL, since it's probably more conservative overall. We still might consider the two fat guy point load as well, whatever is more conservative for the member under consideration. Thanks again for your help.

 

[Ron]

greatbritton...check ASTM requirements for design of amusement rides and devices. Also check a few of the more active amusement ride states in the US for some help. Florida, Kentucky, and Ohio have fairly good and well defined Amusement ride and device statutes. For Florida, check with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Fair Rides located in Tallahassee, Florida.