Gerald Ford Int’l. Airport Parking Deck Roof

2017 Design Award Winner

Location
Grand Rapids, MI

Structural Engineer
Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc.

Architect
Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc.

Steel Joist Manufacturer
Vulcraft/Verco Group

Steel Fabricator
Builders Iron

Since the original construction in 2011, this airport has never used the top parking deck during the winter. With the growth of air travel, the airport wanted to cover the top level without entirely closing the sides. For long-term protection, along with the structural steel, the final design required all the steel joists & bridging to be galvanized. With over 600 pieces at 62′-0″ long, the joists were too long for single dip galvanizing, resulting in each joist being fabricated with a custom matched bolted splice at the center. Steel joists were lighter in weight and more economical than using wide flange beams.

Airport Terminal & New Concourse

Transportation

The scope of this project included the terminal, concourses and entry canopy for the new Indianapolis Airport. The roof is uniquely shaped consisting of a saddle shaped double curve in one direction and a single curve in the other direction with two-way exposed steel trusses supporting a grid of fifty six foot long curved joists that make up the secondary framing. The joist system serves several functions in addition to carrying the vertical gravity loads. They were designed to laterally brace the top chords of the primary trusses and the bridging system was designed to torsionally brace the perimeter girder of the roof.

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Airport Ballroom Expansion

Transportation

This project included the addition of a ballroom and improved food service preparation areas to be completed for the 2014 Super Bowl. 60DLH joists up to 70 ft long created the roof for the structure and also supported a complex system of loads below.

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Airport Hangar

Transportation

The hangar alone was 165,000 square feet, and was separated into two halves by a central core. This addition to Gulfstream’s existing facility will help advance the company and better service its large fleet of existing aircraft.

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