Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

The engineering and design skills of Interserve’s formwork and falsework division, RMD Kwikform, played a key role in the construction of the new Millennium Stadium at Cardiff Arms Park, the spiritual home of Welsh rugby.

At the time of construction it was, and may still be, the largest closing roof stadium in the world.

The all-weather, 72,500-capacity stadium consumed around 48,000 cubic metres of in-situ concrete and was the first project to use Autoclimb, a hydraulically-operated, bracket-type, self-climbing formwork system. It was employed in the construction of the shear walls, supports for the pre-cast seating tiers and the cores for four lift and stair towers.

Autoclimb was chosen because of its ability to make a major contribution towards achieving the stadium's tight construction programme. Other factors in its favour were that it minimised the disruption of other activities on the confined site, while automatic lifting of the formwork reduced or even eliminated the need for the use of cranes.

Autoclimb acts as a support system, allowing the use of a full range of traditional, modular or purpose-made forms. The bracket system enables Autoclimb's components to be arranged into a greater number of configurations than is possible with complete core climbing systems.

Autoclimb formed part of RMD Kwikform’s formwork and falsework solution at the Millennium Stadium. It was used in conjunction with Superslim soldiers, Alform Beams, formwork tie systems and the Rapidshor steel falsework system, chosen for its high load capacity, lightness and ease of erection.