As part of a 5-year, $1.8 billion expansion program that began in April 2001, the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) decided to upgrade Baltimore Washington International’s (BWI) functionality. Notably, MAA added a state-of-the-art parking structure that offers more than 8,000 new parking spaces. VSL was contracted to fabricate and deliver more than 6-million feet of fully encapsulated monostrand post-tensioning system.

The design was based on the need for durability and minimized maintenance with a fast track schedule. The new garage included 2.5-million square feet of parking. To comply with very strict quality control specifications, VSL conducted in-house strand sheathing inspections. VSL also individually tapped and shipped the coils on pallets to minimize sheathing damage and provided on-site presence for equipment calibration and maintenance.

The VSL team consistently provided job site assistance to resolve contractor installation challenges. VSL provided support with slab repair and tendon detensioning, proper equipment usage, unique stressing techniques, and proper tendon placement.

Due to the partnership between VSL and Clark Construction, the post-tensioning systems allowed maximum operational flexibility by providing creative and innovative solutions through VSL engineering and detailing services. VSL designed various stressing sequences and anchorage details to expedite shoring recycling and overall project schedule in addition to providing alternate design options to resolve PT interference and fit issues.

The completed garage now offers customers easy and convenient airport parking.