Waagmeester Canvas Products, Inc.

INDUSTRIAL FABRICATION DIVISION

The next few pages show a variety of projects that have effectively used canvas. Some are real obvious, others more creative, and some are once-in-a-lifetime shots. After browsing this page, continue with More Industrial, and don't miss Custom Projects.

The Queen of the West is a Riverboat on the Columbia River. The exposed upper deck needed to be enclosed with walls to extend its usefulness. However, there is nothing more beautiful than the Pacific Northwest on a clear day - and depriving people of fresh air and sunshine would be unthinkable.

Canvas and fabric were the only reasonable choices for making a fully function weather barrier. The construction techniques and strength requirements for the material are explained further on this page.

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Perhaps the most persistent concept of canvas is the temporary shelter not unlike the old tents to which we were introduced during World War II. Traditional canvas tents and shelters are still versatile, durable and inexpensive. They offer protection for inventory, equipment and personnel all over the world.

Today's Temporary Shelter is probably made of a light weight, super strong, technically advanced membrane. The form can include large shelters that can be free standing, attached to buildings or span open areas between buildings. They offer faster and less expensive storage in many cases, and provide the only method of protection in other situations. They can be easily installed and dismantled for relocation.

At the PGE dam on the Lewis River, a
temporary shelter was used to
protect a work area from persistent rain.
The cover slides open for crane access.

Architectural membrane structures are showing up in some of the most interesting places. The advantages for construction are evident when you consider the structural flexibility. Buildings can be air-supported membrane as well as tensioned or frame-supported. Because the material can be colorful and durable it provides protection against high winds, rain and snow on a cost effective basis.

These buildings offer unique design signatures, not only in large-scale structures, but also in smaller subordinate structures, such as walkway coverings between buildings and door entrances. It is no wonder the world's best architects are more strongly than ever considering membrane structures.

The "Ocean Dome" in Myazaki, Japan features the world's largest retractable roof over an all-weather swimming pool.
The Florida Suncoast Dome in St. Petersburg was the world's first stadium-sized, cable supported, clear-span circular dome.

Limnologists have been challenged in managing fisheries because introduced species of fish are competing with native species. The electric fish barrier has become an important tool for containment of fish as well as restriction of unwanted species. For instance, in Michigan the challenge is to keep lamprey from going upstream with the salmon. In Arizona the Grass Carp would spread into other reservoirs and streams.

Physical barriers work in some circumstances, but tend to be impractical in most. The advent of the electric barrier has been a boon - electrodes emit a small charge into the water. As fish begin to enter the area, they are repelled. The charge can be turned off (opened gate) or increased (closed gate). Placing the electrodes in the cement structure of man-made canals has been done to good effect, but by placing them in a vinyl housing the barrier can conform to any natural streambed shape. It is also significantly less expensive and intrusive during the construction process.

The vinyl fish barrier.