Six Flags Magic Mountain Viper Coaster Ride Gorian
has provided geotechnical engineering services during the design and
construction of many new rides and attractions at Six Flags Magic
Mountain since the early 1970’s.
Faster and taller coaster rides require an in depth understanding
of deep foundation systems to resist very high lateral loads.
The rolling hillside terrain of the park enhances the challenges
for each new attraction. A team-like relationship between the park’s engineering
division, structural engineer and civil engineer have made each new
attraction at the park a great experience to be a part of. An
example project is the mega-coaster Viper.
Viper was completed in 1990 and included more than 270
cast-in-place reinforced concrete pile foundations to support 3,830 feet
of track, including the
world's tallest vertical loop at 140 feet, plus loops at 90 feet, 62
feet, a 40-foot-tall corkscrew, and a double barrel boomerang turn.
Riders of this coaster turn upside down seven times and change
elevation 16 times at speeds up to 70 mph.
The coaster rails are supported at 170 bents, which experience up
to 1,000,000 ft-lbs. of moment. |