Sustainable Innovation in Temporary Working Platforms
A pioneering research project carried out at the National Buried Infrastructure Facility (NBIF), is helping to transform industry approaches to sustainable construction.
In collaboration with Tensar (a division of CMC), the project focused on improving the design and performance of Temporary Working Platforms (TWPs), essential structures that support the heavy machinery and plant commonly used across construction sites.
Traditional TWPs rely heavily on high-quality quarried granular materials, which can be costly and environmentally intensive. This study explored the use of geogrids to reduce the volume of granular fill while enhancing the bearing capacity of the platform. By incorporating geogrids into the design, the research aimed to deliver a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable solution. NBIF’s advanced testing capabilities were critical to the success of this work. Using full-scale testing under controlled conditions, the project team was able to replicate real construction site scenarios and assess the performance of geogrid-reinforced platforms with high accuracy. The results showed that the proposed approach can achieve significant reductions in both carbon footprint and cost, demonstrating major environmental and economic benefits.
The project received national recognitions with two major awards: i) Winner of the Sustainability Award at the Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) 60th Anniversary Award2 2024 and ii) Winner of the Studies and Research Award at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) West Midlands Awards 2025. The project was led by Professor Asaad Faramarzi, supported by the NBIF research and technical team including Dr Anna Faroqy, Dr Wuzhou Zhai, and Mr Kieran Hansard, working closely with colleagues from Tensar.