Weidlinger has designed the first-known application of a triangulated spine truss for Boston's MBTA Airport Station. Although similar trusses have been used on other projects, they have never taken this very efficient form.

BOSTON - The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts presented Weidlinger Associates, Inc., with a 2005 ACEC Gold Award for Engineering Excellence in recognition of its uniquely designed triangulated-truss roof for MBTA Logan Airport Station. The structure improved the organization of the concourse space in the near-surface station, providing optimal skylight orientation for elevators, interior crossover bridges, and escalators.

The spine truss, which is spirally twisted along its length, was designed to resist the horizontal wind load imposed on the curtain walls and the projected area of the skylight. The truss distributes the load to the towers, then to the foundations, and by supporting both roof sections integrates the two halves of the building into a single structural unit. As the spans of the roof framing elements from the exterior wall to the truss were relatively small, the frame could be constructed of light structural steel sections. The exterior wall system was composed of glass and light perforated-metal vertical trusses that were hung from the roof structure.

The ACEC Engineering Excellence Award Program celebrates engineering achievements that demonstrate ingenuity and significant technical, economic, and social advancement. Entries are judged on five criteria: original or innovative application of new and existing techniques; future value to the engineering profession; social, economic, and sustainable design considerations; complexity; and exceeding client needs.