Micro Ramp for basement

[digitalcarbon]

for the basement...comments for improvements?

 

clg is 7'-1" 

Deck ht 20"

Radius is 72"

Flat is 96"

 

 

Micro Ramp 20".vwx

 

 

 

 

Edited February 4, 2018 by digitalcarbon

[Pat Stanford]

Foam padding on the beam and rafters and helmets? ;-)

[Benson Shaw]

@digitalcarbon

Looks like fun and should work pretty well as shown, at least for a while, and at least for certain skaters.  Skaters will self select. If head room and surrounding space not enough, they will just not use it. You know more about this than I do, so comments below might be overkill:

 

Seems the biggest usability problem is clearance for adults/tall folks. Shorter skaters maybe no problem. Padding and helmets, as Pat mentions, could help with safety but would also reduce clearance making activity even more restricted.  If this is new construction, can the slab be constructed with a sunken area to accept the prefab lumber structure flush with surrounding? Or at least sink it part way down? Or form the concrete depression as a mini bowl or pipe? Or, if this is existing slab and ceiling structure, cut a new “well” in the slab for lumber or formed skate feature? I know, way more expensive than prefab lumber ramp.

 

•The ramp structure might be too flexible? In my limited experience, lumber skate structures flex with the intermittent point loads causing connections to loosen.  Might be a non issue, especially if limited use, low weight skaters (kids) and/or routine maintenance. Exterior structures swell/shrink with moisture/temperature changes. Should be pretty stable in a basement location.

 

•If pronounced flex is evident, it might be a fun “spring board” feature. But even small flex can eventually cause connections to loosen.  To reduce, add a center span stringer panel each end to further support the 2x4s?

 

•Connection of the steel pipe not shown.  Spindles or sockets at each end of pipe? Epoxy to structure? Straps?

 

•Connection of the plywood transitions (the arc shaped side panels) to the 2x4 framing?  Nails or screws into 2x4 endgrain generally loosen over time.  Occasional maintenance w/ hammer or screw driver might be enough?  Add plywood end panels to further reduce flex and racking? Framing clips with thru bolts into ply and 2x4s?

 

Let us know how it works if you build one!

-B

[digitalcarbon]

thanks everyone for the input...

 

here is an improvement 

 

Micro Ramp 20ht-72r-72flat.vwx