Market Sector
Aviation Structural Engineering
Structural engineers for airport terminal renovations, passenger lounges, aircraft hangars and aerospace facilities. Our experience includes multiple projects at San Francisco International Airport, completed above and around live airport operations.
Why PARADIGM for Aviation
Building the Future through Intelligent Design
From terminal renovations and passenger lounges to aircraft hangars and aerospace manufacturing facilities, PARADIGM delivers intelligent structural solutions for the demands of the aviation industry. Our engineers are experienced in working within active airport environments, strengthening existing structures and coordinating around baggage systems, passenger circulation and ongoing operations. Our expertise in seismic evaluation and retrofit, including base isolation and fluid viscous dampers, gives aviation facilities the resilience to remain operational after a design-level seismic event.
Capabilities
Key areas of expertise
Each area below is drawn from completed projects by PARADIGM and its principals.
Airport terminal renovations
Strengthening existing floors and framing for new uses inside operating terminals, with construction planned around airport operations.
Passenger lounges and tenant improvements
Conversion of existing terminal space into premium lounges. PARADIGM engineered both the original Centurion Lounge at SFO and its later expansion.
Elevators and moving walkways
New elevators suspended above baggage conveyor systems, widened moving walkways, replacement of deteriorated supports and enlarged elevator shafts.
Clear-span aircraft hangars
Our principals' hangar experience includes pre-engineered steel frames clear-spanning 120 to 160 feet, foundation systems and custom hangar door guide systems.
Seismic evaluation and retrofit
Building evaluations, concentrically braced frame retrofits and earthquake damage repairs for hangars and aviation campus buildings.
Aerospace and manufacturing facilities
Production and manufacturing buildings for aerospace clients, including column-free assembly space, seismic retrofits and building expansions.
FEATURED PROJECTS
Aviation
American Express Centurion Lounge
Renovation of Level 3 office space into the Centurion Lounge with Perkins&Will, including floor strengthening and a passenger elevator suspended above the baggage conveyor system.
Terminal 2 Moving Walkway
Widened moving walkway from garage Level 1 to the Terminal 2 basement at SFO, with deteriorated structural supports replaced and the supporting frames modified.
Treasure Island Naval Station Hangars
Seismic upgrade and renovation of Hangar Building 2 and earthquake repairs to the 150,000 GSF Hangar Building 3, steel-framed hangars built for the Golden Gate International Exposition.
Lockheed Martin Facilities Renovation
Elevator replacements with enlarged shafts and new machine rooms, followed by the seismic retrofit and expansion of the main manufacturing building.
Executive Aviation Hangar*
Pre-engineered steel frames spanning 150 feet with 100 feet of column-free space at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, plus a custom guide-rail system for the hangar doors.
Apache Helicopter Hangar*
Production facility for the Apache helicopter with pre-engineered steel frames clear-spanning 120 feet and cast-in-place concrete exterior walls.
Recognition
Resilient, sustainable design for aviation facilities
PARADIGM's aviation work draws on the firm's published research in passive energy dissipation and its record on certified sustainable projects.
FAQ
Aviation structural engineering questions
-
Yes. At the Centurion Lounge at SFO, PARADIGM strengthened Level 3 and suspended a new passenger elevator while working above and around the baggage conveyor system below.
-
Hangars need large column-free space so aircraft can be moved without risk of damage, which means long clear-span frames and door systems that operate reliably across a very wide opening.
-
Yes. Upgrades typically start with a building evaluation and can include strengthening the main structure, adding braced frames, repairing earthquake damage and bracing nonstructural items.
-
PARADIGM is licensed in 44 states, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas and Washington, D.C.
Start a conversation
Planning a terminal renovation, hangar or aviation facility?
Our team would be pleased with the opportunity to present our qualifications and support your structural engineering needs.
