Video
Standard FRP Boardwalk Designs for Public Infrastructure
This Tech Talk Tuesday session introduces Treadwell’s NatureTREAD™ standard FRP boardwalk designs for public infrastructure projects. The session explains how Treadwell’s public infrastructure systems support boardwalks, small pedestrian bridges, shelters, access ramps, balustrades and related outdoor structures using FRP, or fibreglass reinforced plastic, as the main structural material.
The webinar focuses on two standard boardwalk design families: the Brighton Series and the Waterfall Series. Both are pre-engineered FRP boardwalk systems designed to help reduce design time, simplify costing and support practical installation across parks, trails, coastal areas, wetlands, forests and natural environments.
NatureTREAD™ describes itself as Treadwell’s FRP composite solution for recreational public infrastructure, with a suite of standard engineered boardwalk designs available to make drafting and costing quicker and easier. The Brighton Series specification sheet also notes that standard designs are intended to be modified to suit project requirements, rather than treated as rigid one size fits all layouts.
Key Features
Pre-engineered boardwalk layouts
Treadwell’s standard boardwalk designs are built with compliance, design efficiency and repeatable installation in mind. The Brighton and Waterfall systems give project teams a starting point for member selection, spacing, load capacity and general arrangement, helping reduce the need to design every boardwalk from scratch.
Designed around relevant Australian and New Zealand standards
The session explains that the standard designs consider AS/NZS 1170 for structural actions, AS 1428 for accessibility and DDA related access requirements, and AS 2156 for walking track classes. This makes the systems relevant for councils, parks authorities and public infrastructure teams working across track classes 1 to 4.
Brighton Series for higher access and wider boardwalks
The Brighton Series is described as Treadwell’s most commonly used standard boardwalk system. It is typically used for track class 1 and 2 applications, can work with 3 kPa and 5 kPa loading, and can support boardwalk widths up to 3 metres.
Waterfall Series for lower level boardwalks
The Waterfall Series is typically used where a lower level or more aesthetic boardwalk arrangement is required. Its joists and bearers sit in plane, which reduces overall build depth but can increase connection points and installation time compared with the Brighton Series.
Long design life and reduced maintenance
The transcript states that Treadwell’s boardwalk products have a 55 year design life and are designed for long term public infrastructure use. The FRP material is described as corrosion resistant, rust resistant and rot resistant, with no protective coating required.
Internally pigmented FRP with UV and fire additives
Treadwell’s public infrastructure products include additives such as colour, UV stabilisers and fire retardants to support performance in Australian and New Zealand conditions. Because the systems are internally pigmented, they do not rely on ongoing coating maintenance for colour in the same way as some traditional materials.
Faster installation with open section profiles
The Brighton Series uses an arrangement where bearers are bolted to posts and joists sit on top of the bearers. The use of open sections such as I beams and PFC style members allows quicker bolted installation and avoids anti crush inserts in the standard design.
Flexible handrail and kick rail options
The session introduces Murray Series and Grange Series FRP handrail options, along with FRP kick rail for lower structures. AS 1428 compliance can be supported through the addition of a grab rail where required.
Available design and drafting support
The pre-engineered designs can be supplied as general arrangement drawings and implemented within 3D models. The presenter also notes future work toward IFC or Revit formats, which can help project teams coordinate FRP boardwalk systems into broader design documentation.
Applications
Public boardwalks in parks and reserves
These standard designs are suitable for boardwalks through parks, reserves, natural areas, wetlands, forests and similar public infrastructure locations where long life, low maintenance and low impact installation are important. NatureTREAD™ identifies boardwalks, bridges and access systems as key recreational public infrastructure applications.
Track Class 1 and 2 boardwalks
The Brighton Series is typically used for track class 1 and 2 projects where wider boardwalks, higher public access expectations and heavier load criteria may apply. NatureTREAD™ Brighton Series sheet lists track class 1 and 2 options with maximum clear walking width up to 3 metres and pile spacing up to 3 metres.
Track Class 3 and 4 boardwalks
The Waterfall Series and Brighton Series can both be adapted for track class 3 and 4 applications. The transcript references Waterfall Gully in South Australia as the project that gave the Waterfall Series its name, with the design used for track class 3 and 4 requirements.
Low level boardwalks with reduced visual impact
The Waterfall Series is useful where the boardwalk needs to sit lower to the ground for aesthetic, site or environmental reasons. Because the joists and bearers are in plane, the structure can reduce overall depth compared with a stacked bearer and joist arrangement.
Shared path and accessible boardwalks
During the Q&A, the presenter confirms that standard designs have been implemented in applications requiring shared path considerations, including bike safe and wheelchair compliant boardwalks. AS 1428 and DDA related access are considered as part of the standard design framework.
Coastal and dune environments
The Arno Bay Boardwalk case study is highlighted as an example of the Brighton Series used in a harsh coastal environment with sensitive dune vegetation. The project used a suitable shore footing or micro pile system, with the FRP bearer and joist arrangement installed above it.
Concrete pad and micro pile footing interfaces
Treadwell’s standard boardwalk designs typically use off the shelf stainless steel base plates that can connect to concrete footings, micro piles or steel screw piles, depending on the civil design. The transcript notes that Treadwell’s responsibility generally starts from the base plate upward, while footing design is typically handled by others.
Projects requiring reaction loads for footing design
In the Q&A, the presenter confirms that Treadwell can normally provide reaction loads where footing design is being completed by others. This helps civil designers complete the foundation design while Treadwell supports the FRP superstructure.
Boardwalks requiring handrails, kick rails or balustrades
Treadwell offers FRP handrail systems including Murray Series and Grange Series, as well as FRP kick rail for structures typically below one metre in height. Handrail selection can be adapted to track class, fall height, access requirements and visual preference.
Sites requiring wheel or animal loading review
The Q&A notes that FRP boardwalk products can support specific wheel loads or horse hoof loading where relevant engineering and, where necessary, specific testing are completed. This makes the system adaptable for shared paths, maintenance vehicles, equestrian routes or other special loading cases.
Key Moments
- 01:04 👋 Ryder Morton introduces himself as Business Solutions Manager at Treadwell and welcomes attendees to the tech talk on FRP boardwalks.
- 01:20 🏗️ Treadwell’s NatureTREAD™ Space specializes in public infrastructure like boardwalks, pedestrian bridges, shelters, ramps, and balustrades made from FRP products.
- 01:47 🧪 FRP (fibreglass reinforced polymer) consists of glass reinforcements for shape and strength, plus thermoset resin for corrosion, rust, and rot resistance.
- 02:15 🌡️ Treadwell FRP includes additives for colour, UV stability, and fire retardancy suited to Australian and New Zealand conditions.
- 02:42 🛡️ Key FRP benefits include corrosion/rust/rot proofing, no protective coatings needed, internal pigmentation, and a proven 55-year design life.
- 03:23 📏 Treadwell offers pre-engineered standard boardwalk designs compliant with AS/NZS 1170, AS 1428 (accessibility), and AS 2156 (track classes 1–4).
- 04:47 🏞️ Brighton series is the most common design for track classes 1–2 (also suitable for 3–4), supporting 3 kPa or 5 kPa loads with 750 mm joist centres and 3 m pile centres.
- 05:27 ⚡ Brighton series uses open I-beam/PFC sections, requires no anti-crush inserts, enables fast bolted installation, and suits complex natural environments up to 3 m wide.
- 07:28 🌊 Waterfall series suits track classes 3–4 (also 1–2), with joists and bearers in-plane for low-to-ground aesthetic boardwalks; slightly higher install time and material cost.
- 09:17 🪜 Standard designs include Grange and Murray series handrails plus kick-rail options, all achieving AS 1428 compliance where required.
- 11:53 🔩 Connections use M12/M16 bolts and 10 mm brackets; footings typically employ off-the-shelf stainless steel base plates on concrete (adaptable to micro or screw piles).
- 13:16 📍 Case studies include Sturt River Linear Park (Brighton series), Waterfall Gully (Waterfall series), and Ano Bay (Brighton series in coastal dunes).
Why Choose Treadwell ?
Treadwell’s NatureTREAD™ division focuses on public infrastructure projects such as boardwalks, pedestrian bridges, coastal access structures, staircases and access ramps. The Cathedral Fig Tree case study shows how that focus translates into a practical FRP solution for a sensitive tourism and conservation site.
Treadwell can support boardwalk projects with FRP product selection, engineering, shop drawings, standard boardwalk concepts and custom design input.NatureTREAD™ states that it offers FRP boardwalk design, engineering and installation, with standard designs such as Brighton, Cathedral and Waterfall series, along with custom designs where required.
The Cathedral Fig Tree boardwalk also shows Treadwell’s ability to balance structural performance with conservation requirements. Lightweight FRP, bolted connections, surface-mounted plinths, anti-slip grating and modular construction all helped reduce impact on the tree’s root system while providing safe, durable visitor access.
For councils, parks authorities, tourism sites and public infrastructure teams, Treadwell offers a strong combination of FRP durability, low maintenance performance, design support and practical installation thinking. The result is boardwalk infrastructure that can protect sensitive environments, improve visitor access and reduce long-term maintenance demands.
