Technical and design details

Metalu : End cross-ties All our structures (docks, finger piers, access gangways and bridges) are made from 6005 AT5 marine quality aluminium and all nuts and bolts from stainless steel.

A dock frame consists of 2 edge profiles connected to each other by crossbars and diagonals. The size of these components depends on the berthing and securing stresses taken into consideration.
Once determined, these stresses are fed into a computer programme which calculates the required strength of the structures. This determines the types of edge profiles required and the number and cross-section of the crossbars and diagonals to be used.

Extremity crossbars

The extremity crossbars receive 26-tonne strong steel reinforced rubber blocks in order to provide a flexible but strong link between docks.

Edge profiles

All edge profiles are designed with integrated securing rails into which ¼ turn stainless steel securing bolts can be fitted at any point, without the need for dismantling. All accessories, including finger piers, can thus be attached or slid into position, according to the operating requirements of the installations in question. The configuration of the latter is thus never fixed and can evolve over time so as always to be optimized.

Decking

Various types of decking are available:

Rot-proof hardwood or synthetic wood decking planks riveted to aluminium girders, each being independent and interchangeable.

Aluminium decking, the planks of which are butt-welded to the dock’s frame.

Open polyester deck gratings in the form of made-to-measure prefabricated slabs.
These types of plating are particularly designed to withstand professional use under difficult conditions.

Floats

All our floats are filled with closed-cell expanded polystyrene which thus makes them unsinkable, even in the event of accidental impact (water absorption 1 to 3% maximum of the total volume).

The 6 mm thick rotomoulded polyethylene is moulded to various shapes so as to meet the requirements of different freeboards.

2 to 4 mm thick aluminium is used in order to withstand difficult conditions (landing on rough ground, ice, shocks etc.).