Slope stabilization project in Frankfurt am Main

• Year of execution: 2011
• Area: approx. 1200 m²
• Kunde: Flughafen Frankfurt am Main

In the vicinity of the Airrail Center Frankfurt/Main (now THE SQUAIRE), one of Germany’s largest office buildings with a floor area of approximately 36,000 m², an effective solution was needed to infiltrate the stormwater runoff from the roof surfaces. Since the building is situated in a narrow space between the A3 and B43 highways and there was very little space available, a space-saving, sustainable, and environmentally friendly infiltration solution was needed that would also provide erosion protection for the steep slopes.

To meet the requirements, a permeable structure consisting of a series of interconnected basins was constructed. The basin slopes were built with a gradient of up to 1:1.5 and subsequently stabilized using the ECORASTER S50 ground reinforcement grid system. In addition to providing a mechanically stable surface, this solution also offers effective erosion protection for slopes and gradients prone to erosion. Ground anchors were also used to securely anchor the mesh surface to the subsoil.

Function and benefits of the solution

By combining a tiered infiltration system with a slope stabilized using ECORASTER S50, the project ensures that stormwater not only infiltrates locally but also permanently improves the surface stability of the slopes. The S50 system features a flexible, root-permeable structure that adapts very well to sloped surfaces while providing a water- and plant-permeable anchorage—an essential characteristic for slopes at risk of erosion. The use of ground nails further enhances anchoring and long-term stability under varying loads, such as during rainfall events or seasonal freeze-thaw cycles.