Team
Owner: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
EOR: Severud Associates
GC: AECOM Tishman
Fabricator: Banker Steel
Project Overview
The JFK Terminal 6 construction project is a significant undertaking to modernize and expand John F. Kennedy International Airport. This ambitious project encompasses:
- A 1.3 million square foot terminal complex
- 10 new gates, including 9 capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft
- Occupying the site of the former Terminal 6 and current Terminal 7
- Two-phase construction with Phase 1 opening in 2026
- Adjacent to Terminal 5 and the TWA Hotel
Structural Overview
The terminal's structural design incorporates:
- Structural steel frame
- Light weight concrete on metal deck for typical floors
- Normal weight concrete on metal deck for typical roof
- Pile foundations, primarily using taper tubes
- Consideration of special case loads
Early Connected Model and Qnect Benefits
The use of Qnect software and the Early Connected Model approach provided numerous advantages:
- Efficient Workflow: The project utilized a streamlined workflow from EOR Revit model to Tekla, incorporating IFC file exports and imports, followed by cloud-based connection design
- Early Issue Detection: Early detection of design issues led to beam upsizing, eliminating the need for costly doublers
- Improved Coordination: The early creation of a fully connected model facilitated better MEP coordination during the initial design development phases
- Accelerated Timeline: Phase 2 shop drawings were completed early enough to allow fabrication to begin before Phase 1 topped out
- Connection Optimization: Thousands of field bolts were saved using Qnect's software.
Conclusion
The JFK Terminal 6 project showcases the benefits of utilizing advanced software like Qnect and implementing an Early Connected Model approach. This methodology not only accelerated the design and construction process but also improved coordination, reduced errors, and ultimately contributed to a more efficient and cost-effective project delivery.
