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In order to span the large space and satisfy Eero's intention to make the roof appear to hover, the columns had to be very strong and heavily reinforced. Each of the 16 original columns on the north side of the terminal contains 20 tons of steel reinforcing rods. The columns are tilted out from the space to help counter the inward pull of the hanging roof. The tilt of these columns also allows the structure to form a protective overhang at the entrance to the terminal, protecting arriving passengers from the weather (one of Eero's concerns/intentions).
The large roof created over the space had to be designed to allow rain and snow to drain easily. This was accomplished by creating a large sculptural drain pipe in the center of the terminal. This drain pipe can move 12,500 gallons of water per minute from the roof, through the levels of the terminal, and into pipeline that drains into a lake just north of the terminal parking area.
The paving around the airport also required a great deal of reinforcing due to the heavy loads produced by the aircraft. The runways and taxiways were designed for a "100,000 lb. single wheel load, based on a 200-psi footprint pressure" (Civil Engineering, May 1959).
This design can handle a gross weight of 500,000 lbs. on a landing gear. The pavement is "15 in. thick on 9 in. of crushed-aggregate base course in critical areas, and a 12 inch pavement thickness of 9 in. of base course in non-critical areas" (Civil Engineering, May 1959).
Shoulders are 2 inches of asphaltic concrete on 4.5 inches of crushed aggregate base. The turnoffs from the runways are designed for high-speed exits as fast as 60 miles per hour.
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