6m gangway to the dock - how would you have done it?

[pjop]

Hello,

We need to replace the gangway that goes between the land and the floating dock. It is about 6 meters long and the water can vary by a maximum of 1.5 meters.

We are considering casting a stand to attach the gangway on the landside. Is this reasonable, or is it better to try to find a metal stand (see picture)? Does anyone know where to buy one that doesn’t cost tSEK 10 (or does one weld it themselves)?



How would you go about the gangway itself? It seems to require steel or aluminum with that span. Has anyone done something similar themselves?

 

[fribygg]

Common pressure-treated lumber is available up to 54dm long, is that enough?

If 54 dm is not enough, it is possible to overlap and screw together pressure-treated boards, such as three 28*145 m boards, to create a beam over 6m long for a gangway. Any slight flexing doesn't matter in that context.

 

[pjop]

Ordinary pressure-treated wood is available up to 54dm long, is that enough?

If 54dm isn't enough, you can easily screw pressure-treated boards overlapping, for example, 3 pieces of 28*145 m to make a little over a 6m long beam for the gangway. A little flex doesn't matter in that context.

Thanks. Do you mean bolting them together or screw-gluing (if that even works with pressure-treated wood)?

Is it possible to make a truss from pressure-treated wood to increase the load-bearing capacity?

 

[kniv]

Why would it require steel or aluminum with that span? The payload of the whole thing will be extremely limited since you only walk on it.

 

[fribygg]

Thank you. Do you mean to bolt them together or screw glue (if that even works with treated timber)?

Is it possible to make a truss of treated timber to increase load-bearing capacity?

Screw simple beams together with regular deck screws or 4-inch galvanized nails that are clinched where they go through the timber. Creating a truss is certainly possible but seems unnecessarily complicated for a simple gangway to the dock.

 

[Larsa]

It's a floating dock, so the walkway can't support just any amount of weight. I assume it will be hinged. A cast "plinth" sounds like the smartest option.

 

[pjop]

It's a floating dock, so the gangway can't put too much weight on it. I assume it will be hinged. I think a cast "plinth" sounds smartest.

Exactly, self-weight will be a parameter.

Yes, I think it should be hinged.

 

[Testarn]

If you plan to make beams out of spliced studs, use nails instead of screws. They are slightly flexible and are not at risk of breaking from shear forces like the somewhat more brittle screws.