Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) Bracing
The Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Concourse A/B Connector and Baggage Handling System expansion is designed to modernize the passenger experience, increase operational efficiency, and provide additional capacity for future airline growth.
The expansion unifies Concourse A and Concourse B with a direct, intuitive, and fully accessible passageway. Five airline gates, expanded passenger amenity space, and updated baggage handling systems create a modern aviation infrastructure that supports the growing needs of Southwest Airlines.
The defining element of the Concourse A/B Connector is the expansive central atrium. The spacious, light-filled atrium offers a wide range of dining and retail options, along with panoramic views that create an open and inviting environment. The architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS) bracing system within the central atrium serves as the critical structural framing system while establishing the expressive architectural character of the Concourse A/B Connector.
Owner: Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) through the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA)
Architect & Structural Engineer: Jacobs
General Contractor: Clark Construction Group
Steel Fabricator: Kinsley Construction
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CAST CONNEX custom-designed and standardized cast steel components were used to meet the demanding structural parameters, create architectural expression, and simplify constructability of the AESS bracing system of the Concourse A/B Connector. Each brace incorporates a custom cast steel node at its center and Universal Pin Connectors (UPCs) at each end of the brace. The custom-designed cast steel nodes provided the geometric freedom necessary to resolve complex architectural node geometry while ensuring exceptional structural performance. The use of pre-engineered, standardized UPCs enhanced constructability by enabling clean, efficient, and consistent pin-connected detailing that simplified field assembly. Together, CAST CONNEX custom and standardized components allowed the AESS braces to achieve the atrium’s demanding structural and aesthetic requirements while minimizing field welding for streamlined installation.
By integrating CAST CONNEX’s custom-designed and standardized components, the project team achieved a balance of performance, beauty, and practicality within one of the expansion’s most prominent spaces. The result is an elegant structural solution that elevates the character of the Concourse A/B Connector and contributes to a modernized, more connected passenger experience at BWI.
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Products Used On the Project
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