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Supplied: 325 galvanised 2mtr length 

channels (1706 metres in total)

Heathrow Terminal 5 Car Parks - Sub Surface Drainage Systems

Heathrow Terminal 5 was designed to accommodate the massive influx of passengers to and from the UK. With the development of overseas trade, air travel is now a vital part of most international companies, and as most airports are struggling to cope with demands it was felt that a new “super airport terminal” was required.


The massive glazed roof (largest of its kind in Europe), designed by the architect Richard Rogers, gives the terminal building its tremendous light and grand sense of space. The project took 19 years in all when back in 1982 there were discussions about whether to expand Heathrow or Stanstead airport. On the 20th November 2001 the government approved the plans for the new terminal building, 8 years after the original planning application was submitted. Construction of this mammoth project began in 2002 and the building was finally opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on March 14th 2008.

Job Brief

Background Information

Project Team

Client: British Airport Authority
Main Contractor: Laing O’Rourke
Sub Contractor: Ekspan Ltd
Start Date: 2002
Completion Date: 2008

 

Ekspan Ltd was commissioned by Laing O’Rourke to provide a drainage solution to the car parks and access bridges near the runways. It was decided that with the fall on the car parks to achieve maximum drainage a herringbone layout would be best suited. Overall Ekspan supplied 1706 metres of the 325 drainage channel. This works out to just over 1 continuous mile of drainage channel! The main advantage of using the Ekspan 325 is that the galvanised mild steel
sections are fully welded to further add strength to the already rigid arch construction. The channel is low profile at only 35mm high so it can be easily buried within the blacktop. It is also fully resistant to heat, therefore the blacktop causes no problems. 


Ekspan not only supplied the drainage channel, but also supplied the associated products, including flushing units to clean the systems out, and also an underslung drainage seal to catch water running down the ramps, dripping onto the car parks below - this during winter months caused many problems
with ice patches. We also supplied a structural pot bearing to support the main control tower during its construction phase. For further information on any of the products mentioned within this case study please do not hesitate to contact a member of our sales team who will be more than happy to assist.
 

Ekspan's Solution

At its peak the construction site had around 8000 construction workers, and overall the project involved around 60,000 people. The entire T5 complex consisted of 16 major projects and 147 sub- projects. These projects were mainly to construct buildings and the new railway station. The Terminal is designed to handle approximately 35 million passengers a year which equates to around 95 thousand passengers a day at full capacity.

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