URS helps deliver the UK’s biggest rugby union stadium

URS was commissioned by the Leicester Tigers to help them turn their home ground, the Welford Road Stadium, into the biggest dedicated rugby club stadium in the UK.

URS was then novated to constructor Galliford Try to provide civil, structural, geotechnical and environmental engineering services for this ambitious £60 million redevelopment.

The first phase saw the replacement of the existing north stand with the new 10,500 seat Caterpillar stand, which included a 1,000 seat hospitality suite, enclosed concourses, function rooms, and player and club facilities. The new stand increases the capacity of the ground to 24,000.

URS engineered the Caterpillar stand so that a majority of it could be constructed entirely behind the existing stand, while ensuring stability was maintained in its temporary condition. The old stand was demolished and the front section of the new structure was completed during the 2009 closed season.

The striking architectural concept includes a 106 metre roof truss, spanning between gable towers, and supporting cellform beams which allow unobstructed views for all spectators. While the engineering of this structure in itself was a significant challenge, the architect’s concept also required the towers and truss to be at a 1.5 degree tilt towards the front of the stand.

Working with a specialist steel fabricator, URS helped develop the erection methodology for the structure. The main truss was fabricated off-site in 12 sections and included stubs for the main cellular beam rafters. These were delivered to the site and connected together at ground level. The truss was lifted into position in one lift by two 1,000 tonne cranes in January 2009.