Baltimore Borrows Bridge Beams

A look at the construction of the Baltimore Convention Center, its four domelike exhibition halls, the main lobby and its service areas. The Center’s four columnless exhibit halls are cast-in-place post-tensioned concrete pyramidal domes which get their strength from concrete catenary beams similar to a suspension bridge’s cable, but tilted on a 37° angle. Completed on schedule: in two and a half years. Details construction methods, the structure’s dimensions and notable design features such as the Pilkington glass system.