{"id":122436,"date":"2026-04-15T15:56:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/retaining-wall-solution-at-alexander-international-athletics-stadium-birmingham\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T15:56:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:56:31","slug":"retaining-wall-solution-at-alexander-international-athletics-stadium-birmingham","status":"publish","type":"stories","link":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/retaining-wall-solution-at-alexander-international-athletics-stadium-birmingham\/","title":{"rendered":"Retaining Wall Solution at Alexander International Athletics Stadium, Birmingham"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    \"\"<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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    Completed Gabion Terramesh\u00ae wall<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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    End view of Gabion Terramesh\u00ae Wall<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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    View of side of Gabion Terramesh\u00ae wall<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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    View of bridge bank seat<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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    View of bridge bank seat<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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    Typical section<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>

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    Challenge<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div>\n
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    The Alexander International Athletics Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham is a world-class athletics venue designed to host national championships and international sporting events throughout the year. The development features state-of-the-art track and field facilities, including covered spectator seating, indoor training and performance suites, and commercial office spaces with dedicated service access and parking.<\/p>\n

    A defining feature of the stadium\u2019s landscape design is the series of 8-metre-high grassed embankments that surround the athletics track, forming a striking oval amphitheatre. At the northern end of the stadium, this embankment also functions as an elevated access ramp, providing essential connectivity to service areas behind the spectator seating.<\/p>\n

    The key engineering and architectural challenge was to create a structural \u201chard stop\u201d at the end of the embankment, rather than a traditional sloped finish. Designers Hydrock required a solution that would clearly define the stadium fa\u00e7ade while seamlessly integrating with the surrounding earthworks. Additionally, the structure needed to support a bridge providing vehicular access to the upper levels of the stadium.<\/p>\n

    This created a complex requirement for a retaining wall system that could deliver structural stability, support load-bearing infrastructure, and maintain a high-quality aesthetic consistent with the stadium environment.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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    Solution<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div>\n
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    To meet these challenges, an engineered retaining wall solution using a stone-filled Gabion Terramesh\u00ae system was installed. The 8-metre-high reinforced soil structure was positioned approximately 5 metres from the stadium building, creating a stable and durable boundary to the embankment.<\/p>\n

    The wall was constructed in stepped 1-metre courses, each set back by 150 mm, forming an 8.5-degree batter from vertical. This design enhances the structural performance of the retaining wall while ensuring effective integration with the surrounding landscape.<\/p>\n

    A key feature of the solution is its ability to support the bridge bank seat, which enables vehicular access to the stadium\u2019s upper levels. Steel columns were incorporated through the Gabion Terramesh\u00ae structure, allowing the bridge loads to be safely transferred without compromising the integrity of the retaining wall system.<\/p>\n

    This gabion retaining wall solution provides a robust, cost-effective, and visually appealing outcome, successfully combining structural engineering with landscape design. The result is a high-performance infrastructure element that enhances both the functionality and appearance of this iconic Birmingham sports stadium.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>

    Used Products<\/h2>
    \"Gabions\"<\/div>
    Gabions<\/h6>A Wide Portfolio of Solutions Maccaferri offers an extensive range of tailored solutions to meet every specific need<\/span>View\n \n <\/a>
    star<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    To meet these challenges, an engineered retaining wall solution using a stone-filled Gabion Terramesh\u00ae system was installed. The 8-metre-high rein<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":12703,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","stories-category":[],"stories-tag":[],"class_list":["post-122436","stories","type-stories","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"products":[113741],"applications":[106318,106318],"solutions":[106336],"sectors":[106252]},"yoast_head":"\nRetaining Wall Solution at Alexander International Athletics Stadium, Birmingham - Maccaferri UK & Ireland<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore our Success Stories: Retaining Wall Solution at Alexander International Athletics Stadium, Birmingham. 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