At Asda’s new £15 million, 40,000sq.ft. superstore in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, customer car parking was created under the store to reduce land grab within the retail complex.
By using Tensar International’s Tensartech earth retaining technology on the sloping site, parking for more than 500 cars and the goods delivery yard was created at less cost and time than with traditional construction methods.
The 100 metres long and 6 metres high Tensartech TW1 wall has been installed to enclose two sides of the undercroft car park, with the main store located on the mezzanine above.
“The sloping site topography meant that the rear service yard had to be built up to the level of the mezzanine,” points out Charles Nisbett, of consultants Bielski Associates.
“We wanted to use site spoil for fill, and had considered several options, including piling and prestressed concrete walls to provide thrust relief from the considerable lateral earth pressure.
“By using Tensar’s solution, which has BBA certification for a 120 year design life, we were able to create a retaining structure without any requirement for extra foundations, and achieve an aesthetic finish facing the car park, making it more pleasant for shoppers. In addition, this saved cost of construction and time on the overall installation.”
The 6 metre deep retaining structure was constructed from Tensar uniaxial geogrid, layered with imported aggregate to ensure maximum stability. The geogrids were secured with unique polymer connectors to the TW1 split-faced, concrete modular blocks, providing an attractive appearance.
“The Tensar solution was speedy and easy to install,” comments Craig Pratt from Groundwork contractors Abbey Civil Engineering. “The process was easy to coordinate with the service yard construction and compaction. As the blocks were dry laid, time was also saved as there was no waiting for mortar to set.”
W: www.tensar.co.uk
T: +44(0)1254 262431
