Reinforced Soil Walls and Slope Reinforcement
2023-2024
LUSAIL - DOHA - Qatar
Public Works Authority
GET (Generic Engineering Technologies & Contr
Tilke (Ingenieure & Architekten)
UPGRADE AND REFURBISHMENT OF LUSAIL INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
Problem
The Lusail International Circuit project is being implemented in three packages, which include development of the racetrack, construction of buildings and associated facilities. Once completed, this circuit will be a major destination for the world’s largest races. During the years 2023 & 2024, the 5.418 km long circuit is undergoing comprehensive renovation and development works. A number of underpasses in the circuit required retaining walls in narrow spaces, preventing the use of conventionally designed mechanically stabilized earth walls (MSE walls). It was difficult to provide full lengths of geogrid due to a lack of space, and compaction work in layers was constrained by a lack of time.
Solution
Owing to the cost and time effectiveness and its adaptability to site constraints, Maccaferri’s MacWall system was chosen as the desirable type of architectural retaining walls in the project. MacWall System is an MSEW Modular Block System with Keystone Blocks and Paragrid geogrid as soil reinforcement. There were two types of sections in the project. First type being constrained by narrow space and lack of time. In the first type, the Paragrid geogrid were wrapped around the steel hollow pipes anchored to the cut rock slope, using rock anchors. The backfill used was self-compacting type single sized aggregates. In the second type which is characterized with sufficient space, rock anchors were not required but the backfill used was cement stabilized aggerate fill. Cement stabilized aggregate fill consists of concrete mix which includes angular drainage stones without fines. Since cement stabilized aggregate fill is porous, drainage is built right into it, eliminating the need for a separate drainage layer. By adopting self-compacting aggregates and cement stabilized aggregate as wall backfill in the two types of sections, the need for conventional backfill soil layers and the need for time consuming compaction activities could be avoided. Maccaferri Middle East and the local agent M/s. Chairman Trading & Contracting Company were involved in design, supply and construction for the scope of MacWall MSE wall system in the project.