Specifications

A Remote Automated Water Quality Stream Gauging System Design 5

Figure 1 Examples of small platform design (a) at Thornton Creek and large platform (b) at

Keelbottom Creek both located on the Department of Defence Townsville Field Training Area.

Small platform

The first design (Figure 1a) is for use on high banks where flooding does not pose a risk to

equipment. The platform is constructed from 50 mm galvanized square hollow section (SHS)

with an expanded mesh floor. It measures 1.2 m wide, 1.8 m long and 1.55 m high. The feet

are designed to be encased in concrete, bolted to pre-poured footings or pinned directly into

the substrate.

Large platform

The second design (Figure 1b) is used in areas with the potential for inundation. The

elevated stand is designed to withstand overbank flows. The design is similar to that used for

flood monitoring by Hawdon et al (2007). The platform is approximately 1.5 m wide, 2.4 m

long and 3.0 m high. The frame is constructed of 75 mm galvanised SHS and has an

expanded mesh floor. The handrails are made from 25 mm galvanised SHS with two

galvanised safety chains fitted across the platform entrance to prevent falling.

The structure is fixed to four pre-poured concrete footings using 1 m high, reinforced modular

base plates and chemset anchors.

2.2.2. Auto sampler enclosure design

The auto sampler enclosure is constructed from 2 mm zinc anneal sheet. It provides a

weather proof, ventilated housing for the sampler and the system power supply. It has a

lockable door for security and a false wall at the back to allow the storage of excess hose

and cable.

The sampler enclosure also has a false floor at the height of the door return to allow the

sampler to slide out of the enclosure. Without this floor the sampler would have to be lifted

over the door return. When full, these units weigh around 30 kg and could cause a manual

handling injury if lifting was required. There is a cut-out in one corner of the floor to allow

hose and cabling to enter the box through a 50 mm gland.

(b) (a)