Search Sort Posts:  Oldest to newest Newest to oldest

18/03/2009, 6:52 AM Sean Miller Joined on 02/10/2008 Weston-super-Mare Posts 838 So how does one rebuild a pier? Looking at the webcam of the Grand Pier, with its steelwork devoid of anything wooden at all, it occurs to me that I haven't the faintest idea how one goes about building something like the Angus Meek proposal. Do you lay the planking down first, and then build the pavilion on top of it?  Or do you put the framework on the pavilion in place, secured to the underlying steel, and then lay the flooring?  Or is it somewhere in the middle of the two? Anyone know? Also, what are the plans are for 2009's summer season?  Will the shore end of the pier be open, as it was last year?  And what about the pavilion end? If they've got the planking etc. down could it be that they'll use the area for some sort of open air attraction, perhaps with the pavilion being assembled in the autumn, once the tourists have gone? Sean     Report

18/03/2009, 12:49 PM Flyer Joined on 17/09/2008 Posts 741 Re: So how does one rebuild a pier? I would imagine the following. Due to the existing Pier weight limit, which I think is about two and a half tons.  A new, temporary, stone ballast causeway will have to be constructed alongside the Pier so that heavy lift cranes can access the site.  Next, after structural engineers investigations, the existing piles may have to be strengthened, and perhaps more substantial new piles driven into the sea bed, to take account of the no doubt heavier rides and additional floor space and floor levels. The new 85 metre high tower is going to require massive foundations. The steel framework for the outside walls, I assume it's going to be steel rather than some new "green" substitute (recycled plastic bottles-I have seen a structural plastic girder!), will be errected, then the walls and roof cladded, making a fairly weathertight but empty "shed". The cladding period is a critical part as unfinished buildings with openings in windy conditions are inviting catastrophe. I have seen a flat roof as large as a tennis court being lifted off by the wind, with bits landing 150 metres away!  Get this part wrong and there might be UFO's reported flying over Burnham-on-Sea. Once the "shed" is weathertight and secure, internal fitting out will take place. Electrics, plumbing, drainage, then the heavy bits for the rides, then the flooring around those rides that span more than one floor level. Finish off with fitting out bars, eats, toilets, a coat of paint, and that's it. As for wood, the only wood you'll see in the new Pier, will be the wood in your toothpick.     Report

19/03/2009, 7:05 AM Sean Miller Joined on 02/10/2008 Weston-super-Mare Posts 838 Re: So how does one rebuild a pier?  Flyer wrote: Due to the existing Pier weight limit, which I think is about two and a half tons.  A new, temporary, stone ballast causeway will have to be constructed alongside the Pier so that heavy lift cranes can access the site.  Next, after structural engineers investigations, the existing piles may have to be strengthened, and perhaps more substantial new piles driven into the sea bed, to take account of the no doubt heavier rides and additional floor space and floor levels. The new 85 metre high tower is going to require massive foundations. From the pictures the tower appears to be on a stone plinth of some description, so I'm not really counting that as part of the pier, though it will clearly be accessed from it.  I hadn't thought of the "cranes" aspect of it - hadn't even considered that they'd need cranes at all, but thinking about it they almost certainly will.  That's going to make the sea view a bit ugly then... hmmm... starting to convince myself that they won't start the heavy construction until after the tourist season is over which does, potentially, open up the opportunity of outdoor attractions on the pier this summer. The steel framework for the outside walls, I assume it's going to be steel rather than some new "green" substitute (recycled plastic bottles-I have seen a structural plastic girder!), will be errected, then the walls and roof cladded, making a fairly weathertight but empty "shed". The cladding period is a critical part as unfinished buildings with openings in windy conditions are inviting catastrophe. I have seen a flat roof as large as a tennis court being lifted off by the wind, with bits landing 150 metres away!  Get this part wrong and there might be UFO's reported flying over Burnham-on-Sea. Burnham needs a decent pier... only place in the entire civilised world where you can have a "pier" that doesn't actually jut out anywhere... imagine a paddle steamer trying to land at Burnham Pier... ho hum... the Sea Life Aquarium is more of a "pier" than that thing... perhaps the Michaels' dream will fly through the air, land in Burnham, be taken away by the Highbridge Mafia and turned into a new Kwik Save and Kerry'll say "damn it - ah well, let's build it on Birnbeck instead - get me those Urban Splash folks on the phone!" Once the "shed" is weathertight and secure, internal fitting out will take place. Electrics, plumbing, drainage, then the heavy bits for the rides, then the flooring around those rides that span more than one floor level. Finish off with fitting out bars, eats, toilets, a coat of paint, and that's it. Don't forget the reconstructed Figure of Eight Rollercoaster that "Uncle" will have persuaded them to install by then... As for wood, the only wood you'll see in the new Pier, will be the wood in your toothpick.  Are you saying that they won't have those lovely little wooden "forks" to eat your fish'n'chips with?  Damn... won't be the same... Sean    Report

The Weston Merc...GeneralGrand Pier - th...So how does one rebuild a pier?

(please select) Forums Home |- Search Forums |- Active Topics |- Unanswered Posts User Options |- Sign In |- Join this community |- Forgot Password Announcements |- How to post, how to complain and other FAQs General |- Grand Pier - the fire and the future |- Hot News and Poll Topic |- News |- General chat |- T4 On The Beach |- What's On |- Sport |- Trying to trace family or friends? |- Weird Weston and Strange Somerset.... |- Poetry Corner