COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION FOR RAISING THE SAGE - GATESHEAD

Leca® LWA provided a cost-effective solution for engineers faced with raising the level of a site earmarked for parking and outdoor activities at The Sage Gateshead, a new £70 million international music and entertainment venue.

The Jennings Yard site posed a challenge for Gateshead Council as its previous use as railway sidings and more recently as a scrap yard, had contaminated the ground. To avoid the considerable cost of removing the contaminated fill, it was decided to raise the level of the site by increasing the height of the gravity retaining wall and an access ramp. Original drawings of the existing structures were not available; consequently the council’s engineers devised a plan to ensure that there would be no overall increase in horizontal thrust. Sub-contractors Lumsden & Carroll Construction of Durham, raised the levels using some 490m3 of lightweight Leca® LWA 10-20mm, which was delivered in 60m³ loads, tipped into place and compacted in 600mm layers using a vibrating plate compactor.