The David L. Lawrence Convention Center

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is a landmark conference and exhibition venue located in the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Completed in 2003, the center stands out for its innovative architecture and engineering, featuring a signature cable-supported roof system that gives the building its striking profile and allows for wide, open interior spaces.

Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, the facility includes the largest column-free exhibit hall in the United States, offering 236,000 gross square feet of uninterrupted floor space. This ambitious design places significant demands on the structural elements, including the unique cable and mast system that supports the roof.

In June 2022, Freyssinet, Inc. was selected as the General Contractor to carry out complex structural repairs aimed at protecting and extending the life of this cable system. Our role involved the integration of specialized repair techniques and materials, tailored to the distinct challenges presented by the building’s one-of-a-kind design and its exposure to environmental elements.

General Contractor

Freyssinet, Inc.
Customer/Owner

Sports and Exhibition Authority of Allegheny County
Engineer

Modjeski and Masters
Specialty Subcontractor

Airde Mechanical Services, LLC
Specialty Subcontractor

Conomos Industrial Painting
Project Duration

June 2022-September 2023
Location

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center Repairs

Freyssinet's Scope of Work

Cable Wrapping for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Repair work was needed to address moisture that was entering the structure through the cable system at roof penetrations. The main purpose of this project was to protect the cables with an elastomeric cable wrap system that would eliminate the water protrusion into the building and increase the longevity of the cable system.

With the help of rope access specialists, 2,000 LF of cable was wrapped by hand, and a wireless humidity monitoring system was installed by Freyssinet to determine the performance of the wrap. Additionally, new cable bands and maintenance of the anchors for the cable system were completed by Freyssinet on an as-needed basis.

Another main component of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center project was the support masts for the steel cables and the fabric roof; the masts were fully recoated using a 3-part painting. After the painting of the masts was completed (without any damage to the fabric roof), Freyssinet replaced the lightning protection at the top of the flagpoles.

Engineering for Complex Cable Systems

The cable system utilized in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center had a unique hexagonal shape, unlike the circular cables typically found on structures. As a result, the installation was one of a kind and had never been accomplished before. Freyssinet worked with the material supplier to test, design, and manufacture a specialized heating element that could shrink/bond the wrap.

Furthermore, a custom cover was created in-house by Freyssinet to prevent water from infiltrating the wrap system at the saddle point of the mast. Throughout the complex installation process, Freyssinet’s experienced design team was able to create any necessary customized materials and tooling, enabling them to meet the needs of the project and client successfully.

Stay Cable Maintenance Solutions

Explore our technical solutions for maintaining and repairing all types of stay, suspension cables, and post-tensioning systems.

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Stay Cable Maintenance Solutions

Explore our technical solutions for maintaining and repairing all types of stay, suspension cables, and post-tensioning systems.

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