Sandwich plate system
Sandwich Plate System (SPS) is a structural composite material composed of steel and polyurethane elastomer.
SPS is used in engineered structures including maritime ships, offshore structures, buildings, stadia, arenas and bridges and was invented by Dr Stephen Kennedy following his primary research in the field of ice strengthened structures at Carleton University in Ottawa and first patented in 1996. Intelligent Engineering Limited was founded to commercialize the technology.
The SPS technology is a direct replacement for stiffened steel and reinforced concrete in heavy engineering projects.
The first recorded project involving SPS was carried out by Intelligent Engineering Limited on the P&O Pride of Cherbourg, a Lloyd’s Register approved vessel, in 1999 and over 200 projects have been completed to date.
Projects
Some recent buildings, stadia and bridges incorporating SPS include:
- LG Arena, at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham UK
- M6 Footbridges,Multiple locations UK
- The O2, Dublin (formerly The Point), Dublin Ireland
- Ascot Racecourse, London UK
- Ma Fang Bridge, Guangzhou, China
- London Olympics Aquatic Centre, London UK
- Huskisson Canada Passage Bridge, Liverpool UK
- Schönwasserpark Bridge, Krefeld Germany
- Berlin U-Bhan Bridge, Berlin Germany
- Lennoxville Bridge, Quebec Canada
- Ceder Creek Bridge, Texas USA
- Manchester Airport Pedestrian Walkways, Manchester UK
- Weston-Super-Mare Pier, Weston-Super-Mare UK
- Dawson Bridge, Edmonton Canada
- Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
And some recent vessels incorporating SPS include:
- MV Golden Bell, Bulk Carrier
- MV Star Ypsilon, Bulk Carrier
- MV Silver Bell, Bulk Carrier
- MV Docebay, Bulk Carrier
- MV Hansaland, RoRo
- MV Tor Belgia, RoRo
- MV Edco Star, Bulk Carrier