The exemplar design was perceived as unsuitable by British
Waterways, therefore a series of design workshops took place under the direction
of the architect RMJM to improve on the aesthetics of the design. The aim of
these workshops was to produce a more dramatic profile for the wheel, a design
for the 21st century.
All parties worked closely together at the concept stage to
produce a futuristic scheme using innovative engineering solutions. A concept
wheel with four gondolas using an interlocking gear system was proposed by
Bennetts together with an ingenious lock gate system. RMJM changed the concept
design from a four single vessel gondola to two two-vessel gondolas, producing
the picture of the Falkirk as we know it today.
The next stage involved Butterley, Bennett Associates and Tony Gee
liaising with two sets of architects to produce drawings of how the wheel would
work. The lock gate and interlinking gear system proposed in the concept design
was adopted by RMJM. This means the gondolas are now linked by gears to the
central axle so that there is a positive drive between axle and gondola, thus
avoiding the possible pendulum action of the gondolas during high wind, which
may have been the case had the original exemplar design been used.
Following this Bennett Associates produced the general arrangement
drawings of the wheel to enable the other parties to proceed with the detailed
design. Bennetts is also responsible for the detailed design of the operating
and rotating mechanism of the complex wheel structure and the mechanical
interfaces.
The assembly provides the final link to the £78 million Millennium
Link Project and an international landmark. Bennett Associates have won numerous
awards for their contribution to the Falkirk Wheel.
For more information, contact us on
01709-373782
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