Spanning the sky: exposed steel trusses composed of steel pipe sections provide dramatic open spaces for Orlando International Airport's fourth airside terminal

• Published in: Modern steel construction 2002-02, Vol.42 (2), p.31-33
• Main Authors: Hanuschak, Blair, Moe, Don
• Format: Magazinearticle
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0026-8445

To provide an appealing environment for the traveler and allow flexibility for airports, most of the passenger terminal buildings built over the last few years have been designed with large open spaces. Open space is achieved through the use of long-span roof systems, which eliminate the need for columns. Column-free spaces permit airports or airlines to reconfigure areas in the concourse for concessions, airline operations, passenger processing or security reasons, without having to work around interior columns. Long-span roof systems often become part of the architecture of the building--both inside and out. Because the traveling public's first impression of an airport is often from the air, a unique and unusual roof structure often becomes an integral part of the architecture of the airport. Such signature roofs in terminal structures around the world create grand open spaces and leave lasting impressions on travelers. One example of this concept is the newest passenger terminal building at Orlando International Airport--Airside 2.