Final Year Project Proposal

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STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF A COMMUNITY SIZE SWIMMING POOL

BY ATUNBI, O.E. Department of civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

1. INTRODUCTION A swimming pool is any constructed or prefabricated structure which contains water, used for swimming, diving and other recreational bathing activities. A swimming pool can be for public, semi public or private use. Swimming pools come in all shapes and sizes, but nearly all of them, from the domestic to the recreational, from the rectangular to the variously shaped, work in the same basic way. A typical swimming pool consists of four major components: • A tank (basin, shell) • A circulation system – pumps, inlets and outlets, pipework • Filtration • A dosing system for treatment chemicals. The basic idea is to pump water in a continual cycle, from the pool via filtration and chemical treatment and back to the pool again. By this circulation, the water in the pool is kept relatively free of dirt, debris and microorganisms (bacteria and viruses). A. TYPES OF SWIMMING POOLS There are basically two (2) main types of swimming pools. These are: i. Above ground swimming pools ii. In ground swimming pools

Final Year Project Proposal (2013)

Atunbi, O.E. (09/30GB038)

Page 1

• ABOVE GROUND SWIMMING POOLS This kind of swimming pool is usually constructed above the ground with the use of lightweight materials such as resin, aluminium, steel and inflatable rubber which is a recent trend in pool construction. They are less expensive and less permanent. That is, they can be moved from one place to another. They do not provide deep and shallow ends. An above ground pool can be set up within a few hours with capable help and necessary preparation being done. Above-ground pools, in a location protected by gates and locks, are safer when it comes to children. • IN GROUND SWIMMING POOLS This kind of swimming pool is built below the ground surface. That is, it is embedded in the ground. They are more costly, larger and permanent when compared to the above ground type. They provide deep and shallow ends. In ground swimming pools take a longer period to construct when compared to an above ground swimming pool (up to 12 weeks). In ground pools can be made safer through the use of technology — infrared sensors, gate alarms, locks, video cameras and so on. Types of in ground swimming pools include: vinyl lined pools (a liner is attached to a frame built in the excavation), fiberglass pools (a large factory-built shell is lowered into an excavation by a crane) and concrete pools (constructed on-site to the required specification and available in a variety of finishes). B. JUSTIFICATIONS FOR DESIGNING SAFE SWIMMING POOLS Design of a safe swimming pool will allow for effective management of health and safety of users. It will maximise customers’ appeal for its use and provide efficient and well organised circulation of water and other chemicals through the pool system. A safe swimming pool design will also minimise cleaning and maintenance requirements thereby providing a safe and conducive environment for carrying out the swimming activity. A safe design will also entail the pool shell being water tight which will prevent loss of water when the pool is full or partially full and prevent infiltration of ground water when the pool is empty or partly empty.

Final Year Project Proposal (2013)

Atunbi, O.E. (09/30GB038)

Page 2

C. ADVANTAGES OF SWIMMING POOLS The benefits of a swimming pool are: Health Benefits Swimming is one of the best low impact exercises in which one is able to get a high-quality cardiovascular workout while minimizing stress on the joint. It gets the heart rate up and burns the most calories. It should be carried out for at least 30 minutes several times a week for maximum benefits to the heart, lungs and circulation, as recommended by the American Heart Association. Swimming helps to improve personal hygiene and reduce the incidence and prevalence of s