Autoclimb, the hydraulically operated bracket-type self-climbing formwork system from RMD KWIKFORM has scored in the major league. It was chosen for use in the construction of the new Millennium Stadium at Cardiff Arms Park – the spiritual home of Welsh rugby.

The all-weather 72,500-capacity Stadium consumed around 48,000 cubic metres of in-situ concrete, and was the first project to use Autoclimb. It was employed in the construction of the shear walls, supports for the pre-cast seating tiers and the cores for four lift and stair towers.

Autoclimb was chosen because of its ability to make a major contribution towards achieving the Stadium's tight construction programme. Other factors in Autoclimb's favour were that it minimised the disruption of other activities on the confined site, while automatic lifting of the formwork reduced or even eliminated the need for cranage.

Autoclimb acts as a support system, allowing the use of a full range of traditional, m odular or purpose made forms. The bracket system enables Autoclimb's components to be arranged into a greater number of configurations than is possible with complete core climbing systems.

As part of the RMD KWIKFORM formwork and falsework solution at the Millennium Stadium – all of which was supplied on a hire basis – Autoclimb was used in conjunction with the Super Slim soldiers, Alform beams and formwork tie systems. RMD KWIKFORM also supplied its Rapidshor steel falsework system, chosen for its high load capacity, lightness and ease of erection.

The Millennium Stadium was partially funded by a grant from the Millennium Commission. It is the largest closing roof stadium in the world, and the only such structure in the UK. It was constructed for the Millennium Stadium Plc in conjunction with the Welsh Rugby Union. The structural elements of the project were designed by W S Atkins, and the design-and-build contract is being undertaken by John Laing Construction. The project managers were O'Brien Kreitzberg.

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