MonoAxial GeoGrids

As part of a major infrastructure programme to create a continuous grade-separated carriageway along the North Wales coastline, this project aimed to improve transport connectivity between Ireland (via Holyhead) and key Channel ports. A critical section of the scheme involved constructing the approach to an immersed tunnel beneath the Conwy estuary. The primary engineering challenge was the construction of an 8-metre-high road embankment over extremely poor ground conditions. The subsoil consisted of soft alluvial estuarine clay, known for its low strength and high compressibility, making it highly susceptible to settlement and instability. Compounding the issue was an overlying layer of heterogeneous refuse material, ranging from 1 to 4 metres in thickness, which further reduced ground reliability and increased the risk of differential settlement. Without appropriate ground improvement and reinforcement, the embankment could have experienced excessive settlement, uneven deformation, and potential structural failure, posing serious risks to the long-term performance of this critical transport link.

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In early 2020, SEGRO, a leading Real Estate Investment Trust, acquired a 450-acre site adjacent to Coventry Airport to expand its UK logistics portfolio. The development, known as Gateway South Coventry, is strategically located near the A45 with direct access to major motorway networks including the M6, M69, M40, and M1. The project involves the construction of 3. 7 million sq ft of industrial and warehouse space, with a total development value exceeding £400 million. A major challenge within the project was the need to construct a new access road linking to the recently developed Rowley Road roundabout. The road alignment passed through a narrow corridor between the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre and Coventry Airport, significantly limiting available construction space. Compounding this constraint, part of the road needed to be built over a former landfill site. Due to environmental and spatial limitations, excavation and removal of the landfill material were not viable options. This presented a high risk of differential settlement, which could lead to long-term structural instability of the road. To overcome this geotechnical challenge, a piled solution combined with a basally reinforced platform was proposed.

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A residential development by Newett Homes in Sheffield required the construction of retaining structures to maximise the usable space and optimise plot layouts across the site. The scheme presented both technical and environmental challenges, as the retaining solution needed to accommodate varying heights while remaining visually acceptable to surrounding properties. Given that sections of the structure would be clearly visible to neighbouring residents, aesthetics were an important consideration alongside performance. In addition, the project had to be delivered within a defined budget, placing further emphasis on identifying a cost-effective yet durable solution. Maccaferri was therefore approached to develop a system that could balance structural requirements, visual integration, sustainability, and economic constraints. A residential development by Newett Homes in Sheffield required the construction of retaining structures to maximise the usable space and optimise plot layouts across the site. The scheme presented both technical and environmental challenges, as the retaining solution needed to accommodate varying heights while remaining visually acceptable to surrounding properties. Given that sections of the structure would be clearly visible to neighbouring residents, aesthetics were an important consideration alongside performance. In addition, the project had to be delivered within a defined budget, placing further emphasis on identifying a cost-effective yet durable solution. Maccaferri was therefore approached to develop a system that could balance structural requirements, visual integration, sustainability, and economic constraints.

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