The Charlotte Douglas International Airport Parking Garage features a stainless steel cladding attached to a galvanized structural steel frame.
The American Galvanizers Association (AGA) has released a series of case study videos discussing hot-dip galvanizing performance over the lifetime of projects that have been in service for at least 10 years. As of July, six "Galvanized Steel Studies" have been completed.
Two studies were filmed in North Carolina where the projects are located in a hot, humid and corrosive environment. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport Parking Decks project was galvanized in 2003 and opened for business the next year. Since then, the design team has built four additional parking structures using hot-dip galvanized steel. Brian Bresg of LS3P Associates, Ltd., shares why galvanizing was chosen for the project and why they will continue to galvanize future projects. The 162-acre Metrolina Greenhouses facility in Huntersville was originally galvanized in 1973. Owner Art Van Wingerden speaks about the project's need for a coating that would remain rust-free and maintenance-free for generations, while still providing a beautiful and sustainable product.
The Galvanized Steel Studies also include three 2015 Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Awards Lifetime Achievement entries. The Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State University was galvanized in 1994. Cameron Ungar, associate general manager and director of event services, details why hot-dip galvanizing was chosen as the corrosion protection method for the structure. Two speedways are also featured: the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The final project in the series to date is the Market Place Center at Faneuil Hall in Boston. This project used a duplex coating and was completed in 1985. Michael Murphy of the Clarendon Group discusses how the project's galvanized system has stood the test of time.
This month, the AGA will be adding new case studies from various galvanized steel projects in Ohio, including bridges. All Galvanized Steel Studies are featured on the AGA YouTube channel.