The University of California San Diego is home to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. One of this research institution’s unique facilities is the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. Located right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, this pier was in need of a railing replacement. Greenfield Fence in Oceanside, California, performed the fabrication and installation of the new railings.
Profiles: Domestic MC6 x 12# Channel Profiles
Material: 316/L Stainless Steel
Execution: Laser Fused
Industry: Marine Applications
Location: La Jolla, California, USA
Fabricator: Greenfield Fence – Oceanside, California
The Ellen Browning Scripps Pier Renovation Project
Originally built in 1915, the Scripps Pier is part of UCSD’s Institute of Oceanography. This 1090-foot pier has been a fixture in San Diego for over a century. This pier is one of the world’s biggest research piers and it provides fresh seawater to many laboratories on campus and to the Birch Aquarium for research. The pier also provides scientists and students to research things such as surface currents, ocean pH, atmospheric effects on seawater, erosion salinity and more. In fact, one of the research topics this pier is used for is the reason a railing replacement was required. That being the effects of climate, weathering and erosion from seawater.
In 1988, the pier underwent a major renovation replacing materials such as wood planks and railings with concrete and steel. After 30 years, in 2018 it was decided that the railings needed to be replaced with a more modern look and with materials that would be sustainable under the marine atmosphere and environmental conditions.
Domestic Requirement for Stainless Steel Channels
In early 2019, Greenfield Fence Inc contacted Stainless Structurals about the domestic production of type 316/L stainless steel channels. The size required for this job was 6 inch by 12 pound miscellaneous channel. Being that the project called for a domestic product, Stainless Structurals was the only choice. Type 316/L stainless steel was chosen for its increased corrosion resistance and mechanical properties and for its proven ability to withstand the weathering effects of being in a seaside environment.
Stainless Structurals produced over 3,000 feet (almost 19 tons) of this laser fused channel in our Conroe, Texas facility and delivered to California on time to meet the project deadlines. Greenfield Fence performed the cutting, fabricating, bending and installation of these channels for the railing at the pier. One unique aspect is the pier remained fully operational during the renovation and no research was delayed or impeded. Greenfield was very happy with the quality of the product and delivery times. As you can see in the picture, the new stainless steel railings look phenomenal.
Stainless Profiles for Any Project
Laser fused miscellaneous channels, such as the ones for the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, are just one of our many sharp cornered profiles available in the market. Our product catalog includes beams, channels, angles, tees, sharp cornered tubing, flats and many other custom profiles. All of our shapes are available in both stainless steel and carbon steel alloys. Our team is ready to assist you with your next design. Please contact us today for more information.
