Huntingdon Beach, California Pier

In 1994, IKG Fiberglass Systems (an industry leader in the manufacturing and supply of Fiberglass Pultruded and Molded Grating) approached Bedford Reinforced Plastics, Inc. with a project to supply various structural components and flat sheet for the new 1856' Huntington Beach, CA pier.

Bedford Reinforced Plastics, Inc. supplied IKG with several fiberglass shapes and flat sheet to compliment IKG's grating line of product. Several of the shapes were utilized under the grating panels, increasing the piers strength and rigidity. The flat sheet was epoxy bonded to the top of each grating panel, and a silica sand grit finish was embedded into it providing a skid resistant surface.

The covered grating panels cover the pier's main utility trench that houses water, gas, and sewage lines. A similar trench house's the electrical components. The lightweight system offered a design that would result in a long service life to the heavy exposure of pedestrian traffic as well as truck traffic. In addition, the system offers a corrosion resistant quality that retards the effect of rust and dilapidation that salt-water spray and mist have on steel and wood.

With the reduced labor hours and no heavy equipment, field cutters, and welders on site if the panels needed trimmed for fitting. The installation of the lightweight trench cover system was recognized as a major benefit in savings. In addition, the pigmented gray anti skid surface also complimented the many benefits with its natural tendency to blend into the concrete structure.