The objective at the outset was to reduce the overall weight of the Terminal, and build the lightest structure possible. In order to achieve this objective, a unique overhanging roof, based on a composite polyester sandwich system, was designed to complement the mainly metallic structure built by Transmétal Industrie.
The complete structure is 75metres in length, houses both waiting rooms and ticket booths, and can accommodate up to 6 ferries at a time . The material chosen for the roof structure was a composite sandwich using polyester resin, multiaxial glass and structural SAERfoam core.
TECHNICAL BENEFITS
The 400m² roof, divided into a number of modular panels, was manufactured using a vacuum resin infusion technique, by Apples Composites in their Marseilles’ factory. This low-density PU foam, reinforced with a 3D glass structure, is perfect for a wide range of civil engineering, automobile, truck panel and marine applications. Using techniques such as RTM or vacuum infusion, as with this project , enables us to create structural sandwich panels easily and efficiently.
With the correct density and glass reinforcement bridges following both panel directions
mechanical properties can be tailored to give the best possible weight/performance ratio, offering a very cost effective solution in comparison to existing processes. To further facilitate the use of this unique sandwich structure, material can be supplied cut, kitted and “grooved” to enhance the
