LondonStadium InfrastructureMaintenance SteelStructures AssetManagement StructuralInspection RopeAccess

Preventive innovative maintenance protects exposed steel at London Stadium

May, 07, 2026
Roofs Steel Structures Structural Health Monitoring News On Projects / Industry
United Kingdom
Authored by: TheCivilEngineer.org

*Rope access specialists inspect and clean the 30 m high steel roof structure of London Stadium. Source: Construction Management (image by RSK group)*

Specialist infrastructure inspectors have completed a work-at-height survey and cleaning operation on the 30 m high roof structure of London Stadium. The work focused on the condition of exposed steelwork and protective paint systems, which help prevent corrosion and extend the service life of the stadium structure.

Built for the 2012 Olympic Games, London Stadium remains an important public venue, meaning inspection and maintenance works must be carried out with limited disruption to ongoing operations. The latest works involved rope access specialists and elevated platform technicians inspecting and cleaning more than four miles of steelwork, covering an estimated surface area of around 8,500 m2.

The inspection team used mobile elevating work platforms with a reach of up to 50 m to access external areas of the stadium facade and roof structure. However, not all parts of the steelwork could be reached this way because of floor construction variations, weight restrictions and the position of the structure above the roofline.

For the more difficult areas, rope access methods were required. The usual abseiling approach was not suitable because sections of the steelwork sat above the roof level. Instead, technicians passed ropes over the top of the structure, climbed up the steelwork and moved between structural bays using horizontal tensioned ropes and ratchet strap anchoring systems.

This type of access planning is an important part of infrastructure inspection. The challenge is not only identifying defects, but doing so safely on complex geometry, at height, and within a limited working window. The team had to combine rope access, temporary anchoring, elevated platforms and cleaning systems while maintaining safe operations around an active stadium environment.

Protective paint defects were cleaned and corrected to reduce the risk of corrosion in the roof structure. Source: Construction Management (image by RSK Group)

For exposed steel structures, the protective coating is not only an aesthetic finish. It is a corrosion protection system. Defects in paintwork can allow moisture and contaminants to reach the steel surface, creating local corrosion that may progress if not treated early.

During the inspection, areas with paint defects were cleaned and corrected to reduce the risk of future deterioration. Cleaning methods were also adjusted during the works. Although hand cleaning was originally considered, time constraints made this impractical. Jet washing was used where suitable because it provided a faster method while remaining controlled enough to avoid damaging the surface.

The work at London Stadium highlights the importance of planned maintenance for large exposed steel structures. Stadiums, bridges, transport hubs and other infrastructure assets depend on routine inspection, coating maintenance and early intervention to reduce the risk of more extensive repairs later.

From an engineering perspective, the project is an example of preventive asset management. Regular inspection allows defects to be identified before corrosion becomes structurally significant. It also helps owners plan future maintenance budgets, reduce safety risks and protect the long-term performance of public infrastructure.

Sources: constructionmanagement.co.uk, newcivilengineer.com