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Richard Sadokpam, 060143 1

CURTAIN WALLStructural Seminar

Submitted byRichard Sadokpam

B.Arch 8th Sem.060143


GENERAL CONCEPTS

Curtain Wall

Curtain walls are non-load bearing exterior walls with the following characteristics:

•They are suspended in front of the structural frame•Their own dead weight and wind loads are transferred to the structural frame through point anchorages.•The design of the joints between the curtain wall elements and the fastening technique permit the erection of continuous wall surfaces of any size.

Grid construction of curtain walls

•The majority of curtain wall consists of a rectangular grid of vertical and horizontal members, framing openings filled with inserts or glass.•The inserts and the glazing are the space enclosing elements of the grid curtain wall, while the grid itself forms the framework, within which these are installed.• Normally, the grid is attached to the supporting structure, to which it then transfers the entire weight of the curtain wall plus possible wind loads.• only in a few cases, the inserts are fastened to the structure directly.•The grid is clearly expressed in elevation and gives the curtain wall façade, its characteristic structure.


Panel Construction of Curtain wall

•The term panel construction will be applied to wall assemblies consisting of large, story high panels fastened either directly or indirectly•It is done by secondary framing to the supporting structure• the only components of panel curtain walls are the panels themselves•The panels combine the twin functions of enclosing space and transferring the dead and live loads to the supporting structure

Important characteristics of such panels is their jointless, continuous outer surface

STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS OF CURTAIN WALL

Loads•Although curtain walls have been defined as “non-bearing exterior walls,” they are loaded horizontally by the wind and vertically by their own dead weight

• it must be remembered that winds produce suctions as well as pressure on the face of a building.• These negative forces are important in dimensioning anchors, fasteners and glazing bleads installed from the outside.

•In hurricanes for more glass is blown out of buildings than into them.


The effect of Wind loading• The wind loads acting on a curtain wall are transferred through fasteners to the supporting structure.• Thus, the curtain wall is stressed in bending.• Its own weight acts as a vertical force. Accordingly, the elements of a curtain wall must be designed for a direct stress and bending combined.

•The dead weight of the wall results either in • in tensile stress if the units are suspended or • in compressive stresses if the units stand on their bottom edge

•In designing for combined bending and tension there is no need to provide for buckling, but buckling is a distinct possibility where bending and compression are involved.•The curtain wall should be made of material capable of resisting bending action

Elastic deformation

•The elastic deformation of curtain wall is a consequence of the bending due to wind loads•All the elements exposed to the wind deflect in the direction in which the wind loads act•In grid construction, moreover, the weight of the sprendals and glazing bears on the horizontal members of the grid causing them to deflect vertically.•The degree of elastic deformation is variable•It depends on the stiffness and the modulus of elasticity of the components.•An effort should be made to prevent these deflections, which to a large extent determine the tightness and proper functioning of the joints•Unfortunately, finding the modulus of elasticity of panels and wall units composed of a number of different materials is not a easy proposition. in such cases, theoretical calculations of the deflection must be supplemented by the results of load tests


TYPES OF CURTAIN WALLSDOUBLE SKIN CURTAIN WALL• Exterior circulation• Interior circulation• Double circulation

UNITIZED CURTAIN WALL• Unitized • Individual unitized• Glass flank unitized

STICK CURTAIN WALL• Exposed frame glass• Full hidden frame glass• Semi hidden frame glass• Dry processing concealed frame glass

POINT FIXING GLASS WALL• Art steel structure supported• Space tensile cable supported• Self balancing supported• Single cable supported

FULL GLASS CURTAIN WALL

METAL CURTAIN WALL• Aluminium single• Stainless steel plate• Aluminium composite panel• Honeycomb panel

STONE CURTAIN WALL• Black bolt stone• Splint stone• Continuous groove stone

TILE CURTAIN WALL

PHOTOELECTRICITY CURTAIN WALL

VIDEO CURTAIN WALL


DOUBLE SKIN CURTAIN WALL

Double-skin dynamic energy saving curtain wall ( thermal shaft curtain wall), according to ventilation principle, it can be divided into •natural ventilation and •forced ventilation systems, namely exterior circulation double skin curtain wall system and interior circulation double skin curtain wall system. It consists of an outer curtain wall, an inner curtain wall, sun shading device, air inlet device, outlet device. The design idea is to achieve energy saving, environmental protection, and to provide a pleasant working or living environment.

Special features of products for exterior circulation double skin curtain wall system:

1.According to air thermal compression principle and chimney effect, the fresh air is let indoor, the fouled air is exhausted to outdoor, this can effectively prevent the dust from entering into the indoor. 2.Preeminent winter heat preservation and summer heat insulation function. 3.Reasonable lighting function, according to the needs of user, the light adjustment can be changed, and the lighting environment can be ameliorated. 4.Preeminent sound insulation and acoustic function, creating a serene working and living environment for the user.


Interior Circulation Double Skin Curtain Wall

Special features of products for interior circulation double skin curtain wall:

System principle

●Shutting down air conduit to indoor in summer, let most of hot air inside the double layer sealed thermal shaft area vent into outdoor. ●In winter, the greenhouse effect heat--retaining air will be heated by conduit loop system and passed to indoor, reaching energy-saving effect. ●System structure--whole system adopts unitized structure, outer layer adopts sealed insulation glass, inner layer adopts single glass pivot-hung window, shading louver is installed between the two walls; The outlet is joined with building air-conditioning system.

Double Skin Curtain Wall


Performance

●Heat-insulating property--with admirable heat preservation, heat-insulating property, k value of average heat transmission coefficient can reach to 0.96W/m2K. ●Sound insulation property--admirable sound insulation performance, weighted noise insulation factor can reach to RW>45dB. ●Mechanical ventilation--by assorting of curtain wall, heating and ventilation and air-conditioning system, that provides fresh air and realizes energy recovery, the specific discharge, according to different use location, can maximally reach to 100m3/h. ●Comfortable degree--enough light indoor, favorable temperature.



Double Circulation Double Skin Curtain Wall

System principle

By adopting compound ventilation mode, natural draught and mechanical ventilation can alternately operate under the different condition. The air outlet is opened in summer, and it let most of hot air inside double layer sealed thermal shaft vent out of the outdoor. In winter, the air outlet is shut down, by using the greenhouse effect to heat air of inter layer and increase temperature at internal surface, reaching energy-saving effect.

●System structure--whole system adopts unitized structure, outer layer adopts sealed insulation glass, inner layer adopts single-glass pivot-hung window, louver for adjusting light is in the middle; air outlet is applied blower. ●Heat preservation property—with admirable heat preservation and heat- insulating property, k value of average heat transmission coefficient can reach to 1.15W/m2K.



●Sound insulation property--with admirable sound insulation performance, weighted noise insulation reaches to RW>42dB. ●Mixed ventilation--enting velocity can realize self-control, without relying on building air-conditioning system, design construction is more agility.



UNITIZED CURTAIN WALL

Unitized curtain wall consist of different components and coated materials fabricated at shop and assembled into a single whole panel with the panel height of one or more storeys, then transported to construction site for erection. The panels are precisely connected to the building with the pre-embeds on the building main structure, the fine adjustment to finish the curtain wall installation is achieved by the adjustment screw.( show as picture)

Special features of products for unitized exposed frame curtain wall system, unitized concealed frame curtain wall system, unitized semi- concealed frame curtain wall system:

●Unitized panels are assembled in the factory, with high degree of precision. ●Fast installation efficiency, short construction period, easy to protect finished product. ●That can be simultaneously constructed with major structural of civil work, greatly shortens the construction period for whole building. ●Structure adopts pressure equalization principle, with drainage system inside, good anti- rainwater leakage and anti-air penetration quality.

Unitized curtain wall


●Joint location of panels is sealed with special weather resistance rubber strip, that ensures self-cleaning function of curtain wall , and lowers the degree of pollution on the surface.

●Socket joint mode is adopted between the plates, with strong earthquake resistance property.



Individual unitized curtain wall

●Structural feature--glass plates can be installed and taken down freely. ●Special features of linkage--wind pressure is mostly withstood by the hook plates on the four sides of glass plates, the design of structure sealant makes the structure possess dual functions for added security protection. ●Architectural effect--the line of outside view is both simple and lively, with good transparency. ●Range of application--able to achieve large subdivision plate, and is suitable for huge buildings such as aerodrome, exhibition hall etc.



Glass flank unitized curtain wall

●Structural feature--glass flank adopts dismountable lock catch type connection system, which is secure, reliable, and easy to maintain. ●Water tightness, air tightness--that use pressure equalised principle, multi-cavity step by step decompression, structure drainage, possessing favorable water tightness, air-tightness properties. ●Outside view effect--under the lamplight in the night, the light leaves you infinite dream with the mutual shine between the glass flank and facial glass. ●Inside view effect--it adopts hidden type unlock structural design, with the inside view effect of both continuity and unification.



STICK CURTAIN WALL

A stick curtain wall requires installation of individual framing members to form the support grid for glazing of the infill panes. It can be divided into three types namely Concealed framing, semi-concealed framing and exposed framing. Glass panes are fixed with either a pressure plate or a hook-on profile.

Special features of products： 1. Block press type structural member curtain wall 2. Articulated joint type structural member curtain wall3. Structural member type exposed frame glass curtain wall

• Exposed frame glass• Full hidden frame glass• Semi hidden frame glass• Dry processing concealed frame glass


Block press type structural member curtain wall ( also called unit structural member curtain wall)

● Mullions with movement joints to cater for building movements. ● Pressure plate provide uniform clamping pressure to minimize glass deformation. ● Good acoustic performance. ● Applicable to flat and curved curtain wall. ● Low maintenance cost and easy replacement of damages

Articulated joint type structural member curtain wall ( also called small unitized structural member curtain wall)

● Simple installation procedure. ● Mullions with movement point to cater for building movements. ● Applicable to flat curtain wall. ● Good acoustic performance.

Structural member type exposed frame glass curtain wall

●Heat preservation property --it adopts heat insulation structure and deploys co-squeezed rubber strip with air insulation function, making the coefficient of heat transmission for frame reach by 1.94W/m2K. ●Satisfying various requirements--by selecting serial heat insulation strip and relevant glass allocation, it can obtain different heat preservation property, to satisfy energy saving requirements of buildings in different area.

Stick Curtain Wall


Structural member type full hidden frame glass curtain wall

Special features of products：●Standard products--standardization and serialization in design for products, reliable and stable quality, that satisfy different requirements. ●Structural features--Fixed loocation installation, Fixed spacing compact structure, glass plates with stress in uniformity; plates floating type connection structure, inside plane with strong displacement and absorbing ability. ●Water tightness, air tightness--caulking joint with weather sealant, water tight and air tightness reach ( GB / T 15225-94) level standard. Ⅰ●Architectural effect--elevation is smooth and simplicity. ●Heat preservation property--it adopts baker rod filled air cavity, weather sealant caulked joint, making coefficient of heat transmission of frame reach to 1.7W/m2K.

Stick Curtain Wall


Structural member type semi- hidden frame glass curtain wall

Structural member type semi- hidden frame ( show transversely) glass curtain wall

Structural member type semi-hidden frame ( show vertically) glass curtain wall

●Standard products--products standardization, serialization design , reliable and stable quality, satisfy different requirements. ●Structural feature--bearing plate fixed on transverse can assume glass self weight, with reliable structure. ●Architectural effect--it meets the different requirement for effect of elevation of building by changing pinch plate in transverse direction.

●Standard products--products standardization, serialization design, reliable and stable quality, all satisfy different requirements. ●Structural feature--glass self weight is assumed by bearing plate fixed on transverse beam, with the safe and reliable structure. ●Architectural effect--that meets different requirement for effect of elevation of building by changing pinch plate in vertical direction.

Stick Curtain Wall


Structural member type dry processing concealed frame glass curtain wall

●Standard products--products standardization, serialization design , reliable and stable quality, satisfy different requirements. ●Structural feature--it adopts hook join type mechanical interlock structure, both safety and reliable; glass plates can realize installation in disorder, simplicity of operation, and immediate installation. ●Special features of performance--three pieces of sealing rubber strip, water tightness, air tightness can reach( GB / T 15225-94) I level standard. ● Architectural effect--in terms of inside and outside view effect, the opening part is in accord with fixed part in elevation of building, both harmony and unification on the whole.

Stick Curtain Wall


POINT FIXING GLASS WALL

Point fixing glass curtain wall consists of decorative surface glass, connection component and supporting structure.

According to supporting structure, it can be divided into

1. Art steel structure supported point fixing glass curtain wall system 2. Space tensile cable supported point fixing glass curtain wall system 3. Self-balancing tensile cable supported point fixing glass curtain wall system 4. Single cable supported point fixing glass curtain wall system

Decorative surface glass must be handled by toughening treatment, and can adopt with single-glass, insulation glass or laminated glass.

Special features of products

●Transparent effect makes natural and harmonious scene between indoor space and outdoor environment. ●Exquisite structural member and aesthetic structure realize delicate combination of metal structure and glass decoration art. ●All kinds of supporting structure satisfy the requirements of building structure and decorative effect. ●Glass and connection claw adopt ball pivot linkage , with comparatively strong capacity in absorbing deformation.


Art steel structure supported point fixing glass curtain wall

YUANDA-PGCS-A01

●Structural system--the composite structure system is composed of curved face steel pipe lattice shell system and curved face cable nets system. Lattice shell system withstand exterior load action, the stability within plane is assumed by cable nets system. ●Special features of linkage--the universal hinged spherical insert-type joint is adopted between the steel pipe structural members. ●Art feature--the combination of flexibility system, rigidity system and glass perfectly embodies true modern art of industry.

Point Fixing Glass Wall


YUANDA-PGCS-A02

● Structural system --fish-belly type plane pipe truss system is adopted, the structure is both reasonable and economy. ●Special features of linkage--the weld joint type is adopted between the steel pipes, with smooth lines and exquisite joint point. ●Art feature--fish-belly truss is disposed in parallel type, with decent and transparent effect.



YUANDA-PGCS-A03

●Structural system--space truss structure system, the large arm acts as the part of space unit, as well as the principal connection member. ●Material features--organic combination of stainless steel and carbon steel. ●Shape esthetics--the force and beauty are incarnated incisively and vividly by combining the bow type shape of large claw arm and point supporting of glass.



Space tensile cable supported point fixing glass curtain wall

YUANDA-PGCS-B01●Structural system--the composite structure system is composed of curved face steel pipe lattice shell system and curved face cable nets system. The lattice shell system can withstand exterior load action, the stability within plane is assumed by cable nets system. ●Special features of linkage--the universal hinged spherical insert-type joint is adopted between the steel pipe structural members. ●Art feature--the combination of flexibility system, rigidity system and glass perfectly embodies true modern art of industry.



YUANDA-PGCS-B02

●Structural system--the structure adopts transverse plane cable rod truss to withstand the exterior load action, the vertical cable rod plays the stabilizing action outside the plane and also withstand self weight load of glass, which is the system of geometrical nonlinearity and flexibility for prestress. ●Range of application--that is mostly suitable for the opening between the storey with large aspect ratio, and more economically utilizes the stress mechanism of structure. ●Architectural effect--curtain wall enjoys the effect of transparent, brightness and legerity.



Self-balancing supported point fixing glass curtain wall

YUANDA-PGCS-C01

●Structural system--the structure consists of pulling cable, draw rod and steel structure, which is self-balancing system of prestress.● Structural feature--draw rod and pulling cable adopt pre-stretching system for prestress, by relying on itself structural balance, under the outside load action, the prestress greatly decreases the load transferred to the major structure.

●Architectural effect--simplicity, liveliness and coherence. That fully embodies the beauty, both rigidity of steel and gentleness of cable rod.



Single cable supported point fixing glass curtain wall

YUANDA-PGCS-D01

●Structural system -- the structure adopts single-layer plane cable nets structure twisted crossly by transverse and vertical pulling cables to withstand the exterior load action, which is the system of geometrical nonlinearity and flexibility for prestress. ●Structural feature-- structure is based on principle of tennis racket, by applied prestress the cable nets produces the rigidity to withstand the load outside plane. ●Range of application-- that is suitable for quadrangle entry elevation and large span opening etc. ●Architectural effect-- the most transparent curtain wall system gives you the fully visual impact.



YUANDA-PGCS-D02

●Structure system - - supported by concave soft cable network supporting system composed by large-scale hanging cable and the single layer wire crossing network pointsystem. ●Product characteristic - - large-scale hanging single cable network system forms different in concave fold curtain wall by advanced form finding technology. ●Earthquake resistance ability - - the waving machine between single cable anchored damper and hanging cable make the machine have superior anti earthquake capability. ●Construction effect - - magnificent boundless, grand, visual shocks.



FULL GLASS CURTAIN WALLYUANDA-FGCS-01

●Structure features--glass rib and glass board is connected by structure rubber; the top of glass rib uses hangs to connect with node, the base uses the slip joint. ●Construction effect --the light alternately shining between glass rib and surface glass leaves you the infinite dreams.

YUANDA-FGCS-02

●Structure features--the glass rib and glass board is connected by stainless claws. The top of glass rib uses hangs as connection, flex as connection in the base. ●Construction effect--stainless claws under light show you special artistic effect.


METAL CURTAIN WALLThe metal curtain wall decoration effect is diverse, colorful and anti-corrosive.The metal curtain wall could be divided into1. Aluminum single curtain wall2. Aluminum composite panel curtain wall 3. Honeycomb panel curtain wall4. Stainless steel plate curtain wall

Aluminum single curtain wall●Material characteristics--good ductility, easy to bend processing and the complex curved surface forming, easy to adapt construction decoration request. Corrosion resistance and weather proofing. ●Connection characteristics--floating-type pressing joint structure, with dislodgement absorb and earthquake resistance ability. ●The construction effect--fluorocarbon spray coating technology bring the elevation more colorful.


Metal Curtain Wall

Stainless steel plate curtain wall

●Material characteristics--artistic and smooth surface and diverse utilization; good performance of anti-corrosive; high temperature proofing and oxidation intensity, be of fire protection performance.●Structure features--panel floating link and strong dislodges absorbing ability and anti earthquake capability.●Decoration effect --different processing methods lead to different decoration effect.


Aluminum composite panel curtain wall

●Material characteristics--light weight, simple processing craft. The surface is dealt with fluorine carbon coating processing, with anti-corrosive, anti-ultraviolet radiation etc merits. Compared with the aluminum single plate, it has good sound insulation and thermal performance. ●Installation structure--localization installment, could be three dimensional adjusted with strong dislodgement absorbing capability. ●Construction effect--metal sense of reality, rich color, smooth surface and lines.

Metal Curtain Wall


Honeycomb panel curtain wall

●Material characteristics--superior thermal and heat insulation performance; high rigidity and light weight with high intensity and the anti-avulsion and smooth surface. ●Installation structure--pressing type connection enriches products with high security. ●Construction effect--metal sense of reality and rich color, smooth lines and bright sense of depth.

Metal Curtain Wall


STONE CURTAIN WALLDivided into: 1. Back bolt stone curtain wall 2. Splint stone curtain wall 3. Continuous groove stone curtain wall

Back bolt stone curtain wall

●Connection form--use stainless steel expanding non-stressing anchor connection, safe and reliable.

●Installation structure--suspension flexible connection will bring high anti earthquake performance. It is adjustable in multi-directions, and of smooth and neat surface.

●Construction effect--noble stone material and bright sense of quality display its grave natural and noble luxurious.


Stone curtain wallSplint stone curtain wall

●The connection form-- aluminum alloy carrier connection, the cementation completed in the factory, the quality is reliable. ●Installation structure --hanging style structure allows to be three dimensional adjusted. Elastic cushion’s installation may achieved and provide flexible connection and the earthquake resistance performance. ●Construction effect--noble stone material and bright sense of quality display the building’s grave and noble luxurious.


Continuous groove stone curtain wall

Stone curtain wall

●Connection form -- enhance system safety and the intensity effectively by adopting continuous aluminum alloy molding. ●Installation structure -- structure installation may realize three dimensional adjustment, making sure the curtain wall surface smooth and neat. ●Construction effect -- noble stone and bright sense of quality display the building's grave and noble luxurious nature.


TILE CURTAIN WALL

●Installment structure--adopt stainless steel pressed spring to form flexible connection to reduce noise. Dry installation. yield no pollution and easy to be installed.●Material features--tile is green environment protection product with no color difference and could be self-cleaned. ●Artistic effect--special color for tile material make buildings more traditional and modern.


PHOTOELECTRICITY CURTAIN WALL

●Energy conservation--reduce wall surface and roofing temperature, and reduce the air conditioning load and energy consumption. ●Environmental protection--no need of fuel, without waste gas, heat, and noise pollution. ●Practical--relieve high electricity consumption daytime and solve the problems in less electricity regions. ●Effect--all kinds of light module are adopted in glass, more colorful and artistic expressive force.

Photoelectricity curtain wall has strong electricity generation function, with the capability of 130w/m2. The 10000m2 photoelectricity curtain wall may generate electricity every day (10 hours): 130×10000×10=13000kwh


VIDEO CURTAIN WALL

●Operate by LED management tool V5.5 software researched independently●The computer may gather many kinds of media information●Screen control system may adjust display monitor’s physical parameter and transform digital signal into light signal through the optical fiber long-distance transmission●Display panel control system transfer the light signal into digital signal and control display effect.●The acoustic yield more rich expression


VIDEO CURTAIN WALL


CURTAIN WALL SYSTEMS A pictorial study of High-Rise buildings

in Hong Kong


COMMON TYPES OF CURTAIN WALL SYSTEMS FOR HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS1) Stick system2) Unit system3) Unit and mullion system4) Column-cover and spandrel system5) Various types of glass wall system

Typical stick system wall –the Gateway at Tsim Sha Tsui


Typical unitized system wall – the Cheung Kong Center


Glass wall and skylight for the Festival Walk Shopping Mall


Glass wall for the Terminal Building at Hong Kong ChekLap Kok International Airport


Glass wall used for the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center


The glass wall for the International Finance Center(Hong Kong Station)


Glass Hubs at podium roof of theInternational Finance Center


Curtain wall for the Cyberport Development


Functions and performance requirements of curtain wall for high-rise buildings

Situations where buildings in Hong Kong are expected to face

• Very large building envelop (say, up to 50000 sq m)• Typhoon situations (wind speed up to 60m/s)• Thunderstorm situations• Extreme temperature difference• Exposure to salty or polluted atmosphere• Long period of air-conditioning/cooling time

1) strength and stability – dead load and wind load2) weather resistance – ability to keep out water & wind3) thermal insulation and condensation – max 30W/sq m4) sound insulation – 25dB or above5) fire resistance – usually no specific requirement if enough separating distance from relevant boundary is provided


Testing of curtain wall

1) air infiltration 2) water penetration under static & dynamic pressure3) structural adequacy under static & dynamic pressure4) vertical and horizontal seismic movement5) hinge and frame test6) in-situ pull-out test

Installation process1) transportation, storage and handling 2) anchorage and connection provision3) installation arrangement4) final fixing and inspection


Handling of the window units


Built-in anchor and hanging brackets


Cases for References


Shun Hing Plaza- 68-storey office building constructed in composite form (core wall plus external steel frame)

Installing of the curtain wall


Close up of the mullion frame at the external faces of building


Close up of the walling frame with mullion and transom in position


Wall to cover the bracing members located in the building exterior


Fixing the mullion onto the floor structure


Detail of the fixing bracket


Wall framing components


Manulife Tower (Lee Garden Hotel Redevelopment) –50-storey office building in composite construction

Overview of the building’s exterior


Curtain wall installation for the typical floors


Close up of the rebate on the sides of the building exterior


Close up seeing the walling arrangement of the sky garden


The hanger brackets and the secured units on the floor edges


Maintenance Considerationcommon problem sources where failures to curtain wall often occur

Design failure – •selection and appropriateness of the system, •non-compliance to design and performance standards, •imperfection in the jointing design and •detailing, improper use of materials etc.

Construction and structural failure – •wrong location or method of fixing, •improper anchorage and connection provision (including failure in welding), •failure in the walling components,• unpredicted deflection or deformation appears in the background structure, •poor supervision and workmanship.

Aging and deterioration – •discoloring and surface damaging due to weather action; •corrosion due to air pollution, acid rain, or electro-chemical effect to dissimilar metals;• aging and hardening of the glazing compound or sealing gasket, •deteriorating of the insulating materials that lead to further dampening of the walling materials/components,• disfiguring or loosening of the fixing and connections,• loosening or broken-off of the glazing or other fitting items.


Thank you