Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Client: Welsh Rugby Union (WRU)
Type of works: CEMEX products are key components in keeping the spectators and the pitch dry in the Millennium Stadium. In addition to providing a special self-compacting concrete for the columns supporting the four masts, which in turn support the sliding roof, CEMEX also supplied dense and lightweight blocks and aggregates.

The 72,500 capacity all-seater stadium is the largest retractable roof stadium in the world. Since opening in June 1999, the Millennium Stadium has welcomed over 1.3 million visitors per year. It has a footprint of 40,000m² and a bowl volume of 1,500,000m³.

CEMEX supplied 47,000m³ of concrete for the stadium, in addition to 1,000m³ of mortar for brick and blockwork. CEMEX also provided 20,000 tonnes of construction aggregate and 80,000 tonnes of concreting aggregate.

Additionally, CEMEX supplied over 65,000m², or six loads a day over a 1 year period, of dense blocks in 100 and 140mm thicknesses, which complied to a compressive strength of 7N/mm². The specification also required a close-textured finish, which is ideal for durability, economy and colour co-ordination, as they were utilised for exterior use without any additional rendering or paintwork.

CEMEX also continues to supply the Millennium Stadium each year with approximately 2,500 tonnes of limestone dust for the World Speedway Championships.