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Dallas Fort Worth Airport Terminal D Canopy
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
HKS Architects, Inc. in association with HNTB and Corgan Associates
DFW International Airport
Austin Commercial
Complete Tension Fabric Structure Design/Build by Span Systems, Inc
 The Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Terminal D fabric roof structure shelters travelers from rain, the hot Texas sun and frozen precipitation. Built in 2005, this complex structure is situated at the arrivals level between the new parking deck and the new Terminal D facility. It was built to serve as an entranceway to the 2 million-square-foot building. The uniquely shaped structure has dimensions of 270' along the buildings and an average roadway span of approximately 170'. Total covered area is approximately 45,000 sq ft and is made entirely from Sheerfill Teflon® Coated Fiberglass fabric from Saint Gobain Performance Plastics.
 The enclosure is comprised of 9 internal grid bays of 30' each (width along terminal and garage) with custom fly structures covering fabric openings at the terminal side. The two north and south structures are separated by, and continuously connected to, an elevated pedestrian bridge running between the terminal and parking garage. The roof is supported by a series of alternating ridge and valley cables creating an elegant undulating surface form. Longitudinal tension is maintained by complex and varied edge catenary cables, all mounted to the terminal and garage faces.
The behavior of this unique geometric structure under high-wind conditions was determined through complex solid modeling and extensive wind tunnel testing, which included the entire new facility, the new terminal, hotel and garages.
This dramatic, light structure has become an eye-catching landmark for the 13 million travelers per year expected to use this facility.
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