International projects claim best Terraforce Project of the Year Awards

By David Beer on behalf of Concrete Manufacturers Association

Two international retaining wall projects, the Salamanca Hospital in Salamanca, Spain, and Silicon Oasis in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, are the first recipients of the Best Terraforce Project of the Year Awards.

Launched in 2021 by Concrete Manufacturers association member, terraforce, the awards were introduced to recognise excellence in workmanship and manufacturing standards of its South african and global licensed partners, and clients in retaining wall construction.

the Salamanca hospital took the 2021 award and Silicon oasis was the 2022 award winner.

2021 Winn ER , sALAMA n CA hOs P i TAL , sPA in the project comprises four terraforce l16 rock-face walls which cover a 2 300 m² surface area and rise to a maximum height of 7.86 m. the walls were built by Spanish environmental engineering company, obre tecnicas y Medioambiente which specialises in the construction of reinforced soil structures.

“the main wall supports a new access road to the hospital, and in some sections, special consideration had to be given to the placement of geogrids due to the presence of a large drainage pipe (2.5 m in diameter) near the visible face of the wall,” says obre tecnicas y Medioambiente civil engineer, Miguel Seller.

“the project was topographically complex. For instance we had to adapt the slope of the wall to meet another vertical wall and a section of the wall was located in a floodplain of the river tormes. therefore in both cases we used permeable soil with its better geotechnical characteristics as the reinforcing soil.

“We also used huesker (Fortrac) geogrids with nominal tensions of between 35 and 80kN. the natural foundation ground comprised a slate soil with an internal friction of 28º, a cohesion of 10kN/m² and a specific weight of 19.95kN/m³. and the reinforced soil had a 30º internal friction and a density of 20.00kN/m³ without cohesion, of course,” said Seller. the new road, paseo de la transición Española, adds almost 600 meters to the existing road system and provides direct access to the hospital’s emergency zone. It also includes a roundabout which provides additional access to the new hospital complex as well as to future parking. at the time the award was made, landscaping and a bicycle path were yet to be completed. the addition of coping and fencing along the top of the walls, as well as the large rock strip lining the foot of the walls, add an additional visual dimension to this eye-catching project.

PROJECT PART i C i PA n T s

Client: Salamanca City Council, Spain

Project Manager: Excelentísimo ayuntamiento de Salamanca

Main Contractor: Ferrovial Construcción sub Contractor: obre tecnicas y Medioambiente

Terraforce Licensed Manufacturer, spain: prensagra prefabricados

2022 Winn ER , Du BA i s i L i CO n OA sis, u ni TED A RAB EM i RATEs these long, up to six metre high, terraforce l16 rock-face retaining walls were skilfully installed at dubai Silicon oasis by al aamal Construction. the retaining walls were required due to the substantial differences in site levels, and they provide access to a leisure area at ground level, and to residences on the upper level via stairs and ramps.

“the site consists of set-back and vertical walls, as well as 90° corners that were achieved by carefully cutting the terraforce l16 rock-face blocks,” said Sinan awad of al aamal Construction.

“For additional stability the blocks were concrete-filled and reinforced with rebar. Moreover, we used double-block rows with the rock face finishes facing outwards on either side for some of the vertical walls which abut the two grand staircases and ramps. Where the walls joined other structures, we used dowels to secure the connections.”

In total, 41 100 terraforce l16 and 2 000 terraforce 4x4 Step blocks were installed on site.

“overall, the fantastic multi-level corner details, inset planter boxes, ramps with rails and grand 4x4 Step block staircases make a notable visual statement and create effective breaks in what could have been a sheer and vast, grey surface,” said awad. n

PROJECT PART i C i PA n T s

Client: dubai Silicon oasis authority

Engineering Consultant: kCE Consulting Engineers

Main Contractor: Water in Motion sub Contractor: al aamal Construction

Terraforce Licensed Manufacturer, Dubai: Consent Concrete products