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| Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational demonstrates effectiveness of solution for equestrian events  As part of the London Prepares series, the recent test events in Greenwich Park were a key element of ensuring that the innovative approach to delivering a temporary field of play for the 2012 Olympic Games equestrian events met with the approval of organisers and competitors.Working to the stringent criteria of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), Atkins, the UK's largest engineering and design consultancy, and the official engineering design services provider for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, developed the feasibility and scheme designs for the construction of a suitable platform for the Greenwich Park equestrian venue. This included looking at conventional scaffold systems, earthworks and other proprietary design and assessing the benefits of each. The resulting platform, comprised of 219 panels held up by 2,000 legs, is capable of supporting loads of up to 20kN whilst distributing weight evenly to the ground below, thereby protecting the underlying surface. The structure also provided a level surface across an area of 6, 375m2, whilst the ground below the field of play drops by two metres. In 2012 when the full platform is in place over the field of play there will be 9450m2 and a 3.6 metre drop in ground level from one end to the other. In addition to the load bearing qualities at surface and ground level the platform needs to create a "ground like" response for the horses in terms of vibration. This is made possible by a combination of actions between the panels, working in conjunction with an adjustable steel leg, a feature unique to this solution. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Construction News :: home page |