Update: July 26

Ummm...come again? I didn't hear you.

Hey Webb, your givving us Jasons a bad name here... what is is your trying to say.

I just got back from a trip on my jet ski past the point, and I didn't see any large supports that have been added since the last picture update. I did however notice that there are a few more smaller supports up, which show a little better the layout, hopefully by the end of next week, we can have even a better idea of the layout.

It seems to me that the supports are fairly close together, when you compare to MF. Hard to say for sure, but it looks that way to me on the photos (which are excellent - thanks to all of you who keep 'em coming!).

If you think about how far apart the supports are on MF at that turn right after the last bunny hill, and then look at the 07 construction picture with the "bunny hill/dip" section of track, the new ride's supports are frighteningly close together.

That closeness implies high forces; either really heavy trains, or high G's (or both).

Yawn, i still think Aquatrax or Robo. and when i am right i will laugh and laugh and LAUGH MWAHAHA.

Robo? Intamin doesnt build the Robocoaster...

I have a comment / question for everyone:

When they are placing a support on its footer they first place small pieces of square metal on the concrete for the support to sit on, after setting the support on the footer they place a large "washer" and then thread the nut onto the bolt (hope everyone is with me so far)... Ok so they tighten the nut down and move onto the next footer... so my question is are those small pieces of metal the only thing holding the support up above the footer or does the locking "I" on the bottom of the support sit inside the square part of the footer hold the support up?

(look at the bottom of the support in this picture and you will se what I am talking about http://www.pointbuzz.com/gallery.aspx?i=4456 and here http://www.pointpixels.com/4images/details.php?image_id=6165 )

You would think as many of these coasters as I have watched them put up I would know the answer to this question, but I cant seem to find any pictures, and/or recall seeing this on MF, WT, or TTD

I hope someone understands what I am asking and maybe someone knows the answer (or this is a really dumb question and I am just really tired)...

Thanks,
Aaron *** Edited 7/29/2006 4:45:20 AM UTC by Aaron_toledo***

I've wanted to know that as well. I know the support doesnt rest on the whole footer and that the space is later filled with concrete. But I'm curious to know how far down the "locking I" thing goes.

Are you sure they fill them in with concrete?
http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=1278
http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=1228
http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=1235

EDIT: OK here we go...
http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=1158
http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=1138

I guess they do fill it in with concrete but that still makes me wonder even more why they don't use the same large washers under the support on top of the footer like they did in the pictures of MF? Because those little square pieces don't look like they are very permanent....

As well in the second picture there are some supports flat on the footer and some are slightly above it....

Or is this just a stupid line of questions.... *** Edited 7/29/2006 5:59:32 AM UTC by Aaron_toledo***

I don't think that it makes any difference if there is space between the footer and the support anyway, the majority of coasters have it and either way there is a gigantic footer in the ground with a 1-2 ton support with around another ton of track on top of that and then gravity pushing them down. I don't think there will be any winds etc that will be able to move 10 tons or so straight out of the ground. Also, I think it's better that there is space so that the concreate in the footers doesn't crack due to force of pushing 3 tons into it from the support and track. Well, that's just my 2 cents.

I agree, but what I am asking is if their is going to be a space then why does it look less permanent on P2K7 then on MF or WT where the spacers are actually on the anchor bolt? I guess thats really what I am wondering.

Here's a really good picture of the concrete under a support on MF but why add that if the support is held up by the thick washers?

http://www.pointbuzz.com/gallery.aspx?i=1176 *** Edited 7/29/2006 6:06:29 AM UTC by Aaron_toledo***

Every modern steel coaster has footers like that. They will fill the space with concrete.

My guess Aaron is that it acts as added base for the support. If the support cracks it, it can be easily refilled. But if the support was totally resting on the footer and somehow caused it to crack, the integrity of the footer is weakened.

Ok that makes more sense thanks TTD 120

The reason that is done is because roller coasters are too big to be "perfectly" assembled. Once the track is added, if the supports need to be raised or lower, it can be done by filling under it with concrete.

Think as if you were assembling a metal outdoor chair from Target. I'm sure most people would place all the screws in just enough to stay, and when they're finished go around and tighten them. Well, this is what is being done here, just on a much larger scale. And if they can't force the support to touch the footer, they will make up the difference by filling in with concrete. *** Edited 7/29/2006 6:51:01 AM UTC by Keith 2005***

Wow, I'm just amazed at the shape of some of these supports. I'm still amazed how early it is in comparison to other rides. I hope I get to see a tall crane soon!

Whoa, Aaron, I feel like you just solved one of the many mysteries of this construction and no one even realized. In you first link you posted as well as here, http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=1277 you can definately see the resemblance between Wicked Twister's launch and the odd looking piece of track that everyone has been talking about. The track pieces look much more alike than those on California Screamin.' There are even sections that can be seen in the picture without their electromagnets that allow for a near perfect look. I now personally believe that this coaster will be using LIM or possibly LSM technology. Amazing that the answer was right in front of us!

Matt *** Edited 7/29/2006 3:01:49 PM UTC by Matthew86***

Keith is almost right with his explanation of why they are set up off the footing to begin with. There's just a little more detail required.

You'll see guys out on the site working with a "total station" which is the device which has a laser in it to give them distance and location from specific points on the site. This helps them lay out all the footings based on coordinates given on their layout drawings. (Hence why the guys building this thing KNOW where all the footings go, not just the one their working on as lots of people said earlier in the season.) Later in the process, the total station also tells them how high to set the support. Keep in mind, this is the FIRST time this "puzzle" is assembled, even though it was assembled digitally and the pieces all pre-made. So, "wiggle room" needs to be built into the design of the structure, or the thing won't fit together when its done. Unlike wood where you can shave off a little here, bend something a little there, or just cut a piece on site, steel is fixed.

Take a look at the flange on the base of the support. See how big the diameter of the "sleeves" for the threaded rods are?? This gives the support space to shift horizontally. Along the same lines, the space left under the support gives space to shift the support vertically.

As they start installing track, they'll have to shift supports left, right, up and down to make everything fit perfectly. (Look at all the flanges on the support-support and support-track connections, not much wiggle room there, right?) Once all the track is bolted down and secure, they'll go back and tighten down all the supports at the base - after they've been shifted around. Then, they come back later and fill in that space under the support with concrete. This makes sure the support is secure to the footing and won't more anymore. It also transfers the load evenly into the footing instead of only through the threaded rods. If that extra layer of concrete wasn't there, those rods would eventually sheer off from the pressure.

Hopefully that all made sense.

TTD-120 I wanted to ask you about the comment you made? If the Footer happened to be cracked would that mean they'd have to remove the whole Support, track, and footer? Would that Mean they'd have to pour the concrete again for that footer?