Woolpert of Columbus, Ohio, has earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 55th annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) for designing new access structures at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, Kentucky.
As part of the opening of a new consolidated rental car facility, Woolpert assisted the airport in planning and designing the relocation of Terminal Drive — a split roadway between the main terminal’s upper departures level that is supported by a series of bridges stacked over the lower arrivals roadway. The bridge designs were technically challenging, and included two wall-supported approaches, three sequential bridges, and an extremely tight 200-foot radius curve.
Applying 3D finite element analysis technology, Woolpert modeled each stage of bridge construction, including soil-structure interaction and blast loads for anti-terrorism measures. The project also utilized innovative design and construction methods such as smart sensors and high-performance concrete that will reduce long-term maintenance needs.
The project is part of 195 entries this year representing engineering excellence from throughout the nation and the world. Judging for the awards program — known industry-wide as the “Academy Awards of the engineering industry” – took place in February and was conducted by a national 27-member panel of built environment leaders, along with experts from government, the media and academia. Award criteria focused on uniqueness and originality, technical innovation, social and economic value, and generating excitement for the engineering profession.
Recognition of all award winners including top winners — 20 Honor Awards, 16 Grand Awards and the prestigious “Grand Conceptor Award” for the year’s most outstanding overall engineering achievement—will take place during the 2022 EEA Gala, to be held in Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
