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Gangway Design

A gangway is a structure that connects a land based structure to a floating structure such as a float. Gangways are usually attached to the end of an approach or wharfhead. There are many kinds of gangways including aluminum, steel, and wood gangways. In addition, gangways can be fixed at both ends, fixed at the top and roll at the bottom, or be self lifting. Integrated Planning has designed gangways world wide for a variety of applications.

Gangway Designs

Aluminum

Aluminum gangways are light weight and very strong. They are easy to install in comparison to steel gangways and do not rust. Aluminum gangways can be designed for a variety of wave climates and load restrictions. The most common application is pedestrian gangways from wharfheads to floats with a roller system on the float.

Steel

Steel gangways are very strong and durable. They can be designed to support high GVW's and are widely used in the transportation industry, especially in ferry terminals. Steel gangways typically are quite expensive and corode. Installation costs are also expensive due to their massive size.

Wood

Wood gangways are less common than steel or aluminum gangways due to a much shorter lifespan and poorer load capacity. Typically wood gangways are much chieper and are used mostly in applications where cost is an issue and loading requires are not.

Gangway Design Resources

Gangway designs can be used repeatedly, however, due to the high cost of materials, a gangway designed for each sites load requirements and wave climate can minimize the amount of material requires, ensuring that the most cost-effective breakwater is used. Many companies will install their standard gangway template, which are not an efficient use of material. Integrated Planning custom designs each gangway design for each site. The result has been overall project cost savings and a guarentee of success.