Special Sculpture Support

by **maricana** on Wed Mar 13, 2002 1:34 pm

I have a client who wants his sculpture to appear to "float" on an outdoor reflecting pool (in S. Florida). So I'm looking for:

A water clear material, UV and chlorine stable, very hard surface (non-scratch), able to support a one ton sculpture. It should measure about 4' x6'x 1' and there is a sloping base to the pool so it would have to be a custom form. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Mary

[This message has been edited by Will Call (Edited: 03/13/02).]

by **Will Call** on Wed Mar 13, 2002 4:56 pm

Maricana,

Is it possible for you to fabricate it from acrylic or polycarbonate sheet?

Acrylic would probably be less prone to scratches.

BTW, I did not edit your post, I originally posted this answer within it. Sorry.

Bill

Moen, Incorporated
[email protected]

by **Louis** on Wed Mar 13, 2002 7:59 pm

I think PC would be more scratch resistant, but in either case, when wet, you would not see the scratches.

Suppose one could cast a large acrylic part. Barring that, you could solvent bond thinner sheets together to get the desired thickness.

The solvent bond build up technique might accommodate the sloping base requirement.

As to UV and Chlorine stability, do a web search for supplies of the two materials and look up the material properties.

Curious, who controls the water level?

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by **Will Call** on Thu Mar 14, 2002 9:05 am

OOPS!! My bad, you're correct about the PC Louis, I let my fingers work faster than my brain, again.

Bill

Moen, Incorporated
[email protected]

by **maricana** on Thu Mar 14, 2002 10:10 am

The house manager controls the water level. Although there are drains in case of lots of rain.

The solvent bonded sheet idea could work well. It does seem to be the easiest and most practical way of getting the job done.

Mary

by **Bader** on Thu Mar 14, 2002 12:22 pm

Originally posted by: Bader
Mary

Be careful with the dimension you have mentioned!

6'x4'x1' may NOT support one ton of load. (Archimedes Principal!)
Remember, the density of Fresh water is 1 and to keep the statue buoyant, the volume of float should be more than one cubic meter.

Converting this to feet, the dimensios of float (on which statue will rest) should be MORE than 36 cubic feet!! (...not 24 cubic feet!)

As to the material....PC is my choice!

Bader

Any process that does'nt add value to your product...stop it!

Any process that does'nt add value to your product...stop it!

by **Louis** on Thu Mar 14, 2002 8:22 pm

maricana

I assumed that your "clear" platform would sit on the bottom of the pool. Thus the compressive strength of the material would come into play. That being the case, a 1/8" thick sheet will hold the art off of the floor. What I gather is that due to the depth of the pool, you needed a thicker section.

Thus the question as to the water level. If the level drops, your art will clearly be supported by a lump of clear plastic.

Have I misconstrued what it is that you are trying to do?

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by **maricana** on Fri Mar 15, 2002 9:41 am

Louis, you'e got a grip on the situation. But trust me, while the people are in their home down here (which is only a few weeks out of the year) I guar-un-tee the water level won't fall to where you can see the plastic. The house manager is obsessive-complusive about these things.

I did find an outfit in Colorado that has acrylic blocks in stock that meet our requirements. We'll see how the clients feels after they get the price.

by **maricana** on Fri Mar 15, 2002 9:43 am

[quote
Other than what has been mentioned already, if its going to be at the bottom, someone will hit it - ooch! If its supported on a platform, the pool is useless.

[/quote:656e61c163]

zman,
It's a reflecting pool. Only the birds go swimming

by **Louis** on Fri Mar 15, 2002 6:29 pm

maricana

I'm thinking if you have a house manager to manage your house, which you only frequent for a few weeks each year, cost would not be a problem.

But I'm also curious, let us know what a block of plastic that large is going for nowadays

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by **maricana** on Sat Mar 16, 2002 7:51 am

The quick estimate was about $13,000 but that doesn't include shipping it from Colorado. It would weigh about a ton as well. We're still trying to figure out about chlorinated water and how it will hold up over time.

Mary

by **Dr. Dick** on Sat Mar 16, 2002 11:33 am

maricana

If the acrylic block is accepted and the envioremental resistance is a problem you can coat the cube with a uv, chlorine resistant clear coating.

Is the pool drained when the owner is away?

Dr. Dick

"If you want to soar with the Eagles in the morning.......
You can't hoot with us Owls all night"

by **maricana** on Sat Mar 16, 2002 2:00 pm

The pool would be filled all the time.