Pavilion Leisure Centre

Adrian Cox Associates have provided structural engineering consultancy and project management on maintenance of the water slide support structure annually since 1996.

Adrian Cox Associates were asked by Bromley Council to inspect corroding steel cables supporting the water-slide. In 1996, the condition of the cables was so poor that the water-slides were immediately closed despite the centre opening just four years earlier.

Conditions in swimming pools are highly corrosive. Under these conditions stainless steel cables can fail at a tenth of their usual capacity. Adrian Cox Associates brought together cable specialists Certex Bridon Ropes, paint specialist Steel Protection Consultancy, corrosion specialist Coretest and with little time available came up with a novel solution.

The replacement cables were galvanised as before but painted white and fitted inside a clear polythene tube, sealed at both ends. The white cables are protected by the tube, but in the event of corrosion the rust stain is readily observed.

The replacement cables were installed in 1996. After ten years, testing proved that the ACA solution showed 'no significant corrosion'. These cables cost 10% more than their predecessors which lasted just 4 years.

The project was featured in the New Civil Engineer, 22 / 29 August 1996

Project Type

Swimming pools

Client

London Borough of Bromley, Bromley Mytime

Completed

Completed annually since 1997