FRP Boardwalks, FRP Beach Access Staircases, FRP Jetties, FRP Access Ramps, FRP Boat Ramps
Introduction
Application
Properties
Specifications
Manufacturing Process
Comparison
Other MaterialsSurface Finishes
And CompliancesInstallation
And MaintenanceWarranty Information
And Customer
Support Options
Introduction
FIBRETRAIL is a line of fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP) products that includes boardwalks, beach access staircases, jetties, access ramps, and boat ramps. These products are designed to provide a durable, low-maintenance, and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional materials like wood, concrete, and steel.
FIBRETRAIL products are made from a combination of fiberglass and resin, which gives them several advantages over other materials. For example, they are lightweight and easy to install, yet strong and durable enough to withstand harsh environments like saltwater and extreme temperatures. They also require minimal maintenance and have a long lifespan, making them a cost-effective choice over the long term.
Additionally, because FRP is a composite material, it can be designed to mimic the look and feel of other materials like wood or stone, while offering superior performance and durability.
Application
FIBRETRAIL Boardwalks
At Sustainable Infrastructure Systems we are proud to introduce our premium FRP boardwalk system – FIBRETRAIL
Engineered to provide a durable, slip-resistant, and long-lasting solution for beach access stairs, bridges, and boardwalks.
FIBRETRAIL Beach Access Staircases
Our FIBRETRAIL BEACH ACCESS STAIRCASES are designed with accessibility in mind, meeting the requirements of AS 1428 and AS 2156. We offer a range of sizes to fit any space, from narrow 600mm wide staircases to wider 2m models. These staircases come with a variety of footing and handrail options, ensuring they are suitable for any environment.
Jetties
Our FIBRETRAIL JETTIES are the perfect solution for marine applications, offering a corrosion-free alternative to traditional timber jetties. Our jetties come with FibreDrive piles, ensuring they are strong and durable enough to resist massive berthing loads and wave uplift
Access Ramp
FIBRETRAIL’S ACCESS RAMPS are designed to provide safe and easy access for people with disabilities, as well as those pushing strollers or carrying heavy equipment. Our ramps are compliant with AS 1428 DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) requirements, ensuring that everyone can access your facility or area without difficulty.
Viewing Platforms and Decks
Our FIBRETRAIL VIEWING PLATFORMS AND DECKS are designed to provide a safe and secure vantage point for your visitors. With various footing options available, including screw piles, surefoot, base plate on pier/pad concrete footings, or pile driving, we can customize our solution to meet your specific needs.
Boat Ramps
FIBRETRAIL BOAT RAMPS are the ideal solution for harbours, providing easy access for boats of all sizes. Unlike timber that rots and metal alternatives that corrode over time, our waterproof FibreTrail system is designed to withstand even the most adverse conditions. Our boat ramps are complimented by our FibreSafe grating and fender options, ensuring safety and stability.
Fenders/Walers
Our FIBRETRAIL WPC AND RUBBER FENDERS are specially designed to protect marine structures from impact damage caused by boats and other watercraft. They are chamfered and recessed to meet both aesthetic requirements and the needs of heavy marine loading.
Properties
Our FIBRETRAIL FRP profiles and gratings are made of pigmented resin that provides the color and is an integral part of the product, unlike our competitors who use painted profiles that can fade over time.
Our resin is specially formulated to provide excellent corrosion resistance, making our products ideal for use in harsh environments. The resin also contains UV inhibitors that protect the product from degradation due to exposure to sunlight.
The material properties of our FRP profiles and gratings are impressive, with a density range of 1.5-2.0g/cm3, flexural strength of 200-400 MPa, and tensile strength of 100-300 MPa.
They also have excellent compressive strength of 100-300 MPa and shear strength of 80-150 MPa. The coefficient of thermal expansion is 2-6 x 10^-6/°C, while the heat deflection temperature is 60-90°C. Our FRP profiles and gratings have a flame spread index of 0 and a smoke developed index of 0, making them safe for use in public areas.
| PROPERTY | TEST METHOD | UNITS | VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | ASTM D792 | g/cm3 | 1.5-2.0 |
| Flexural Strength | ASTM D790 | MPa | 200-400 |
| Tensile Strength | ASTM D638 | MPa | 100-300 |
| Compressive Strength | ASTM D695 | MPa | 100-300 |
| Shear Strength | ASTM D384 | MPa | 80-150 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | ASTM D696 | x 10^-6/°C | 2-6 |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | ASTM D648 | °C | 60-90 |
| Flame Spread Index | ASTM E84 | 25-40 | |
| Smoke Developed Index | ASTM E84 | – | 50-200 |
| Corrosion Resistance | ASTM D3917, ISO 1461 | – | Excellent |
In addition to their excellent mechanical and fire properties, our FRP profiles and gratings have outstanding corrosion resistance, which is tested according to ASTM D3917 and ISO 1461 standards. They are easy to install, lightweight, and have a long service life with significantly decreased maintenance costs.
Specifications
Our FIBRETRAIL FRP boardwalks are designed to provide superior performance, durability, and flexibility in a wide range of applications.
Our products are customizable 0to meet your specific needs, ensuring that you get the perfect solution for your project.
The standard lengths of our FIBRETRAIL profiles are 6 or 11.7 meters, with a wall thickness ranging from 5.5 to 12.7 mm, providing ample strength and support. Our profiles are available in square, rectangular, ‘C’, I, or custom shapes to fit your project’s requirements.
We offer a choice of two types of resins, Isophthalic and Vinyl Ester, each with its own unique set of properties to match your specific needs. The choice of resin will affect the profiles’ resistance to corrosion, UV degradation, and temperature extremes.
Our FIBRETRAIL applications are available in custom colors to match your project’s aesthetic requirements. You can choose any RAL color to ensure that your project stands out while still providing excellent performance and durability. Our FibreTrail FRP Profiles can also be customized to match equivalent products such as a timber finish.
We take pride in offering the best possible solutions for your application needs. Our customizable profiles, choice of resins, and custom color options allow us to provide the perfect solution for your specific project.
Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process of FibreTrail products involves pultrusion, which is a continuous process that involves pulling a reinforced material through a die to create a specific shape. The materials used in the process include glass fibers, resin, and UV inhibitors. These materials are combined and pulled through the die to create the desired shape and size of the product.
One unique aspect of the manufacturing process is the use of UV inhibitors and pigments in the resin, which allows the products to maintain their color and resist the effects of Australia’s strong ultraviolet rays. This means that FibreTrail products require zero maintenance over time.
One unique aspect of the manufacturing process is the use of UV inhibitors and pigments in the resin, which allows the prAnother unique aspect is the use of glass fibers, which provide superior strength compared to other materials. This makes Fibre Trail products suitable for most structural requirements, including those in harsh environmental conditions.ducts to maintain their color and resist the effects of Australia’s strong ultraviolet rays. This means that FibreTrail products require zero maintenance over time.
The resin used in the manufacturing process provides the final chemical formula that allows the products to have strong corrosive resistance, making them ideal for applications in wetlands, coastal environments, and natural parks. The combination of these materials and the pultrusion process results in products that are low maintenance, corrosion-free, and highly durable, making them an ideal solution for a wide range of applications.
Comparison Other Materials
| FEATURES | FIBRETRAIL | STEEL | TIMBER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Lightweight | Heavy | Moderate |
| Corrosion | Non-corrosive | Corrosive | Corrosive |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance | High maintenance | High maintenance |
| Lifespan | Long lifespan | Moderate lifespan | Short lifespan |
| Fire Resistance | Resistant to fire | Not resistant to fire | Not resistant to fire |
| Installation | Easy to install | Requires specialized labor | Requires specialized labor |
| Sustainability | Environmentally friendly | Less environmentally friendly | Renewable resource |
THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR FIBRETRAIL PRODUCTS INVOLVES PULTRUSION, which is a continuous process of pulling fibers through a resin bath and then through a heated die, which cures the resin and forms the final shape of the product. This process ensures uniformity and consistency in the product, resulting in high-quality and reliable end products.
Rusted Steel
FibreTrail Fire Proof
Rotted Timber
One unique aspect of the pultrusion process used by FibreTrail is the use of UV inhibitors in the resin to protect against the harsh Australian sun, ensuring the products maintain their color and structural integrity over time. FibreTrail products also come in a variety of colors, which are added to the resin during the manufacturing process, ensuring the color is evenly distributed throughout the product.
Unlike Steel, FIBRETRAIL Products do not rust over time, ensuring no maintenance required over long periods
In summary, the use of high-quality materials and the pultrusion manufacturing process with UV inhibitors make FibreTrail products strong, durable, and able to withstand harsh environments. Additionally, their ability to mimic the look and feel of other materials, coupled with their low maintenance and long lifespan, make them an excellent choice for a wide range of applications.
Surface Finishes And Compliances
Compliance with heel proof and slip resistance requirements is essential for any structure, especially in outdoor environments where safety hazards can be present. FibreTrail products ensure compliance with these requirements by following the AS 4586 standard, which specifies the slip resistance classification and testing methods for flooring materials. Our products are designed to meet the P5/R13 classification, which is the highest classification for slip resistance.
The surface finish of our products can range from grit-free to rough grit, depending on the specific application and required slip resistance. In addition, the mesh sizes of the decking surface can be adjusted to ensure heel proof requirements are met. This ensures that our products provide a safe and secure surface for all users, whether they are walking, running, or riding.
Features and Benefits
- Durable and resistant to environmental factors such as saltwater, UV radiation, and extreme temperatures
- Low maintenance requirements and long lifespan
- Lightweight and easy to install
- Non-slip surface for safety
- Sustainable and environmentally friendly
Product Application & Industries Served
- Coastal boardwalks and access paths including walking tracks
- Beach access staircases and viewing platforms
- Jetties and marina structures
- Access ramps for pedestrians
- Boat ramps and docks
Installation And Maintenance
SITE PREPARATION:
- The first step is to prepare the site for installation. This may involve excavating the ground to create a level surface, installing footings, and ensuring that the area is free of debris and obstacles.
FOOTING OPTIONS: Once the site is prepared we have a number of options that our FIBRETRAIL
SUREFOOT
Our recommended footing option is the use of Sure Foot. With minimal equipment required, lack of ground or environmental disturbance (Great for heritage or root protected areas), this system is the ‘go-to’ option for our systems.
BASE PLATE
If rock or concrete is the site ground conditions, then our base plate system is ideal for our FIBRETRAIL systems with both internal and external base plates options available. Our Base Plates are available in FRP, HDG and 316 SS.
PILE DRIVING
Where the soil is loose and minimal environmental disturbance is required then pile driving our frp posts is another great option. Very little machinery is required which makes it ideal for locations with limited access and where equipment mobilisation is an issue.
SCREW PILE
Where the soil is loose and environmental disturbance is not an issue then screw piles are another great option that allow enough bearing to be reached by going deeper into the soils.
BEAM AND JOIST INSTALLATION:
- After the base plate is in place, fibre span C-channel bearers are fixed on both sides of the posts. The joists are then fixed on top of the bearers using mechanical bolts. Horizontal lateral bracing may also be installed on the joists using equal angle brackets to provide additional support.
JOIST TO CONCRETE END RAMP/ABUTMENT
LATERAL BRACING TO JOIST CONNECTION
BEARER TO POST CONNECTION
BEAM AND JOIST INSTALLATION:
- The decking is then installed on top of the joists using decking screws or clips. The surface of the decking can vary from smooth to rough, depending on the desired slip resistance and heel proof requirements.
BEARER TO POST CONNECTION
BEAM AND JOIST INSTALLATION:
- If a handrail is required, a tie bracing system is fixed on the underside of the joist to allow the handrail stanchions to be fixed. The rails of the handrail or infill balustrade are then installed according to the design requirements.
In terms of recommended tools and equipment, angle grinders and diamond tip standard drill bits are typically used to cut and drill the FRP materials. Mechanical bolts, decking screws or clips, and handrail stanchions are also needed for installation. It’s important to follow best practices for each step of the installation process to ensure that the final structure is safe and secure for use
Warranty Information And Customer Support Options
FIBRETRAIL PRODUCTS are designed to be extremely durable and long-lasting, with a guaranteed design life of
50 years or more
Additionally, limited and extended warranties are available upon request, which provide additional assurance and peace of mind to customers. These warranties may vary depending on the specific product and application, so it’s important to consult with a FibreTrail representative for more information.