Armater honeycomb material used to secure top soil and allow drainage channels to 'green up'
27/02/2002
Armater geosynthetic material from Maccaferri Ltd, specialists in retaining structures, slope reinforcement and erosion protection, has been used to create attractive grass banks on steep sided drainage channels within Cambridge Research Park. A new 112-acre business park created specifically to meet the needs of bio technology and research and development companies, when complete the site will offer 56,000m2 of office space.
In a semi-rural location approximately five miles north of Cambridge, the new Research Park is being developed by Slough Estates with Scott Wilson acting as the lead consultant for the site formation and infrastructure. Providing purpose-designed accommodation including both offices and R & D facilities, buildings are arranged around a series of natural and artificial lakes to create a pleasant and relaxing working environment.
The overall landscaping of the site has been undertaken with care. A wildlife refuge has been incorporated and the natural environment preserved to create an attractive vista overlooking a series of natural and artificial lakes. To ensure adequate drainage, a series of steep sided ditches typical of the surrounding fenland have been incorporated into the overall design.
Emptying into the lake, the ditches have been constructed using reinforced earth techniques and feature 1:1 side slopes. Whilst providing very effective drainage, the sides of the ditches were of a steepness which required support for the topsoil and vegetation. Maccaferri was approached to offer a solution and recommended that Armater, a honeycomb geosynthetic material should be used to line the slopes, securing the topsoil and allowing 'natural' grass banks to flourish.
5,000m2 of Armater have been installed at Cambridge Research Park. The soft landscaping at Cambridge has been overseen on a project management basis by View Point, a company based in Horsham, West Sussex. Installation work was undertaking by Whiting Landscapes.
Lightweight, flexible and easy to install, Armater forms cells into which topsoil is placed. These cells reduce the erosion caused by surface run-off and prevent the formation of gullies. The porous material enables water to flow slowly through the hexagonal cells, avoiding 'ponding' at the base of the cell.
Maccaferri Ltd specialises in the supply of gabions, geotextiles, geogrids and geomats. In addition to a full range of products for retaining structures, slope reinforcement and erosion protection, the company offers an in-house design and consultancy service and has a full-time Botanist and staff to advise on 'greening' engineered solutions.
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