What Materials Are Used in Dock Construction?
Blind Bolt US | 7th December 2020
Marine Dock
Dock construction plays an absolutely vital role in the marine industry. The fact that a dock is place at the exact point where the land meets the water means that it has to be completely safe, above all else, but also durable and strong. Although this reduces the number of options suitable for constructing dock pilings, there are still a few different materials to choose from, each of which has good points and bad points. Even more important in terms of construction is the method used to fit these materials together, and the safest and most secure option for dock pilings is blind bolts.
Wood
Using natural materials for dock pilings usually means using wood. It is an especially appealing option for anyone wanting their dock to impact in visual terms, as it blends in with the surrounding environment. If the wood in untreated, however, it will rot on contact with water, and so any wood used has to be treated carefully before installation, and hardwood is an extremely wise choice as it stands up particularly well to exposure to water.
Concrete
Although it may lack the visual appeal of wood, concrete can play a vital role in constructing docks, particularly if the concrete in question has been reinforced with steel girders to strengthen it. Used in the right way, concrete is immune to the impact of water and won’t degrade in a manner which would impact on the quality of that water.
Steel
Commercial docks and those constructed by the marine industry often make use of stainless steel as it is the strongest and most stable material available. This is particularly true if the steel is fastened with blind bolts. This results in a platform which is sturdy and can cope with factors ranging from the impact of stormy weather to the wear and tear of day to day use. Once a steel dock is built the maintenance required is minimal, since the finished project is extremely difficult to move or destroy and the properties of steel mean that is protected from corrosion and damage.
Blind Bolts
Even though steel is the ideal material for dock piling it can still prove to be difficult to install. Partly this is due to the heavyweight nature of the material itself and partly the fact that some of the work actually has to take place in the water. Constructing docks which are structurally sound involves blind bolts playing an absolutely vital role. The chief benefit of using blind bolts is that they offer one-sided installation into the steel being used which is quick and simple.
In many dock construction scenarios, access to the actual connections needed is very difficult and in some cases all but impossible. The fact that blind bolts enable installation from a single side of the steel itself enables a safety first approach while still creating a structural connection which meets BS 5950. Working with blind bolt fasteners makes it possible to construct steel docking piles which are safe and sturdy while minimizing the risk faced by the construction workers doing the job.
What to Take Away
The range and variety of industries which make use of blind bolts helps to underline how much of a role they are set to have in the future of construction. Here at BlindBolt, we are always looking for new ways of making blind bolts even better, as well as seeking new uses and ways in which our customers can use them to save time and money.
If you are interested in finding out more about how blind bolts are used within the marine industry or any other industry, get in touch with a member of the BlindBolt team today on +44(01299) 272 955 or send us an email on enquiries@blindbolt.com. Alternatively, you can contact a member of our team by using the contact form below. We look forward to hearing from you.
Blind Bolts