Title:
Reconstruction Of the Ice Skating Rink At The University Of Illinois
Author(s):
John Doak
Publication:
Journal Proceedings
Volume:
36
Issue:
9
Appears on pages(s):
1-20
Keywords:
none
DOI:
10.14359/8511
Date:
9/1/1939
Abstract:
Describes the reconstruction of a large ice skating rink floor. Failures first occurred in the original floor where wood wedges had been left in the concrete between the brass contraction joints and the adjacent The corrosion and pitting of the pipes adjacent to the wedges was thought to have been due to gal- vanic action, the moist wood forming the return path for the electrolytic current as it passed from the pipe to the brass. The calcium chloride brine released from these early leaks spread rapidly throughout the sand cushion causing rapid deterioration of the entire floor system. Comparison of construction details and failure of other major ice skating rinks revealed possibility of failure from other sources than the galvanic action created by the local battery. The new floor system was designed to eliminate, insofar as possible, all ap- parent causes of past rink failures. The sand cushion was eliminated and the thickness of the concrete was increased from 3 3/4 to 5 5/8 in., monolithic, placed and finished in a continuous operation without expansion, contraction, or construction joints, eliminating the brass strips or other dissimilar metals. Uncoated steel pipe was used free from mill scale, oil, or foreign matter that would destroy bond with the concrete. The pipes were joined by oxy-acetylene welds, and supported on rolled steel T-sections cast in the con- crete. The concrete was designed for maximum density and maximum shrinkage and carefully placed.