The structural design of water slides puts the structural engineering and creativity of the engineers who work at Amusement Logic at the service of fun. After all, they are essential elements in water parks, often also in campsites, hotels and resorts, and even in some shopping centres.
At Amusement Logic we design water slides to suit different age groups. The choice of the different materials available, whether plastic, metal or fibreglass, is also an influential factor. Another feature that determines our design work is the user safety, which must be total and complete, as far as possible and comply with international safety regulations and applicable building codes.
With regard to safety, and thanks to advances in computer technology, engineers have specialised software for accurate modelling and simulation. These tools enable us to carry out force and structural strength analyses, to help us optimise the design of the water slide.
Therefore, with its columns and support arms, the structural design of a water slide takes into consideration factors such as the weight and height of the slide, the type of material used, the slope of the slide, its geometry, as well as the wind force in case it is planned to be installed outdoors in a water park, a campsite, a hotel or resort, a shopping centre or any other open-air leisure and tourism attraction.
In particular, the water slide must support the weight within the spectrum of the different users, the material used in its manufacture must be resistant to the weather, to the use by visitors (especially children); its slope must allow a risk-free experience for users and its location must avoid possible collisions with other objects.
Finally, we must consider that water slides not only offer fun, but also form part of the landscape and with their combination of curved shapes and vivid tones, they give a vibrant and colourful touch to leisure and tourism spaces, whether in a water park, a hotel or resort, a campsite, a shopping centre, to name just a few.
By Raúl Soriano, senior modeller in Amusement Logic’s Architecture Department
