Structural design of leisure installations

Vertic’Alps Engineering carries out structural design of indoor and outdoor leisure installations in timber, metal or concrete.

From mountain summits to tropical islands, we work on installations in a wide range of locations and under varied constraints:

• Multi-activity towers.
• Zipline departure and arrival stations.
• Posts and masts, particularly to replace dead trees used as supports.
• Self-supporting structures without civil works.
• Supporting structures for net courses and high ropes courses — PAH.

The starting point may be a detailed 3D model, a sketch on the back of an envelope or an initial idea discussed over the phone.

We work with the client to clarify the structure's characteristics, planned activities and configurations to calculate. Our discussions take account of site, fabrication and assembly constraints.

Our work concerns structural design of components and connections, as well as production of the technical documents required for construction, depending on the assigned scope.

The study scope, selected assumptions and deliverables are defined with the client before calculations begin.

Depending on the request, our work includes:

• Examining project data: geometry, materials, activities planned on the structure and conditions of use.
• Structural modelling and defining load assumptions.
• Verifying strength and stability of the components studied.
• Connection and metal-fitting design.
• Determining the loads transferred to the bearing points, required to study the foundations or stabilisation systems.
• Preparing fabrication, assembly and erection documents included in the assignment.

Discussions with the client clarify technical choices and identify adjustments needed for structural design.

Depending on the assignment, we provide:

• The structural calculation reports — NDC, presenting input data, assumptions, checks and results.
• The load take-down calculations — DDC, specifying the loads transferred to the bearing points.
• The metal-fitting schedule, detailing the metal components to be manufactured.
• The fabrication drawings.
• The assembly and erection drawings, identifying the components and their connections.
• The component and hardware lists required for the connections studied.

The aim is to provide a detailed, clear file that can be used by the companies responsible for fabrication and assembly.

To start the discussion, send us the information you have: sketches, drawings, 3D model, photographs or a project description.

We then specify the data required for calculations, including:

• Proposed layout and dimensions.
• The activities planned on the structure.
• Proposed capacities and conditions of use.
• Component materials and properties.
• Ground constraints and interfaces with existing structures.
• For an existing structure, the available drawings and supporting documents.

Missing information is identified and completed before the relevant calculations.

The study scope, input data and deliverables are defined with the client.

Our calculations and documents concern the components and configurations described in the assignment. On their own, they do not constitute overall approval of the activity's operation and all associated equipment.

Any change to dimensions, materials, connections or conditions of use requires an assessment of its effect on the results.