DIMENSIONS OF THE SLIDEDECK MOBILE POOL DECK
SlideDeck is available in two versions:
A basic version (TERRA model) with a structure made of steel and aluminium tubes 15 cm high. In this version, the total height of the mobile terrace is 20-22 cm.
A reinforced version for long mobile terraces (TITAN model) with tubes 20 cm high. This version is of course heavier, taller and more expensive.
In this reinforced version, the total height of the mobile terrace is 27-30 cm.
SlideDeck mobile decking design brief
To guarantee the solidity of your SlideDeck, our structural design office has produced what is known as a «calculation note». This involves entering the various parameters (mechanical characteristics, cross-sections, dimensions, etc.) of the materials used into a calculation program. The software then calculates the stresses and strains, and all this is summarised in the table below. This table contains a lot of columns. Let's explain it.
La first column indicates the height of the tubes and the second the span of the tubes, i.e. the length of the mobile deck.
Note that for the 8 and 9 metre SlideDecks, you can choose between the 15 cm structure and the 20 cm structure. Depending on load requirements and budget, you can choose between the two types of structure for these lengths.
For the calculation, we have taken into account the heaviest coating available Cumaru exotic wood decking (1.1 tonnes/m3, or around 30 kg/m2).
Our calculations are therefore equally valid for ipe and most exotic hardwoods, as well as for solid composite woods, bamboo, etc...
For example, pine is half as dense and in this case the sag will be slightly less.
We have also indicated the weight of the structure, the weight of the cladding and the overall weight. Then we move on to the serious stuff: calculating deformation.
By way of introduction, it should be remembered that SlideDeck is not designed to accommodate a crowd of 30 or 40 people. You have to be reasonable.
That's why we're making two assumptions: a distributed load of 50 kg/m2 or 100 kg/m2.
The distributed load of 50 kg/m2 corresponds roughly to one person per two m2. For example, a group of 10 friends sitting on deckchairs (one deckchair occupying a space of 2 m2).
Another example A table measuring 3 x 1 m with 8 people occupies a total surface area of around 15 m2, bearing in mind that when women and children are taken into account, the average weight is closer to 80 kg than 100 kg.
Using mechanical calculation software, we then calculate the deflection (deformation at the centre) for the mobile terrace alone (with no-one on it = own weight), based on our two assumptions of 50 and 100 kg/m2.
Ground clearance (space between the floor and the underside of SlideDeck) is determined by the wheel height. We calculate it so that the mobile terrace can slide over the pool. unloaded, SlideDeck is easy to install, i.e. without the bottom of the SlideDeck touching the edge of the pool.
SlideDeck must be manoeuvred empty with no-one on it. You can of course leave a table, a few chairs, some pool furniture and accessories... but be reasonable; don't install 200 kg planters...
For example, for a 7-metre mobile terrace (i.e. a 6.70 m pool), SlideDeck's deadweight deflection (with nothing on top) is 1.4 cm and with the base load of 50 kg/m2, the deflection will be 3.5 cm.
In this case, we allow 4 cm of ground clearance to allow a little play.
Another example, with a 15 cm structure. For a 9-metre mobile terrace (i.e. an 8.70-metre swimming pool), the SlideDeck's deadweight deflection (with nothing on top) will be 3.7 cm and with the basic load of 50 kg/m2, the deflection will be 9.5 cm.
Ground clearance for this model will therefore be around 6 cm.
This means that if you load the terrace with a maximum of 50 kg/m2, i.e. 2 tonnes for a 40 m2 mobile terrace, the centre of the long side will touch the pool surround.
As soon as the load is removed, the SlideDeck will return to its initial position with a 3.7 cm deflection.
In the case of mobile decks of great length you will inevitably feel a certain flexibility, You'll be able to move around the mobile terrace with ease.
Clearly, for lengths of 8 and 9 m, for which we offer a choice of structure between 15 and 20 cm, the 20 cm structure is considerably more resistant and the deflection is significantly lower, as is the elasticity.
For SlideDeck with a very long 11 and 12 metres, If the load is too high, we're approaching the physical limits, and we'll have to accept fairly significant deflection and elasticity at full load.
For very large terraces, there is also the question of how comfortable it is to use the mobile terrace when it is above the garden (when the pool is in use).
To increase rigidity, we recommend creating a sill (a concrete support, possibly covered with tiles, paving or wood) in the centre, at the same height as the pool surround.
So, if you load SlideDeck, it will deform (the deflection is created) and the middle of the structure will be able to rest on the sill, thus significantly improving rigidity.
The Last 3 columns concern plastic deformation, i.e. the permanent and irreversible deformation of SlideDeck if you exceed the maximum load.
For example, for the 7 m mobile terrace, irreversible deformation is reached at 398 kg/m2, i.e. for our 20 m2 mobile terrace, a load of 8 tonnes. You've got to go hard! And in this case, the deflection will be 18.3 cm...
Generally speaking, it seems impossible to achieve irreversible plastic deformation in normal use.
We manufacture your mobile deck and determine the ground clearance, taking into account the length of the deck and its intended use; this will give the overall height of your SlideDeck.
The aluminium structure is very strong but has an inherent flexibility that must be accepted. This flexibility is all the more important when you load SlideDeck.
A lighter coating reduces the sag.
