External Walls Flashcards
Concept of a building envelope
the physical barrier or separator between the exterior and interior environments by enclosing a structure
Functional requirements of building envelope (7)
- Strength and structural stability, 2. Exclusion of moisture and weather protection, 3. Thermal and acoustic insulation, 4. Fire resistance, 5. Ventilation, 6. Durability and freedom from maintenance, 7. Adaptability and sustainability
External walls and cladding meaning
The exterior skin or envelope of a building, including all moisture barriers and siding materials used to cover the outside of the structure
How to traditional buildings bear loads?
Through loadbearing walls EG masonry, stone, block. Usually used in domestic building
How do modern commercial buildings distribute loads?
Transmitted through a structural frame, instead of loadbearing walls
What are the three non-loadbearing types of walls?
External cladding, curtain walling, infill walling
Loadbearing walls
Carry their own self-weight together with loads from other building elements. Masonry is most commonly used.
Types of cladding (8)
Terracotta, timber, stone, metal, stick frame, curtain wall, fibre cement, brick
Difference between external cladding and curtain walling?
Curtain walling is not part of the building’s structure. Attached to exterior but is completely self-supporting. Cladding imposes additional loads on the building’s frame structure. Think curtain, light!
Curtain walling
(building glass facades) good aesthetics, poor to moderate thermal performance. Single glazed outer layer allowing thermal gain, double glazed inner layer, air between rises up and out. Fixed to the independent self-supporting framework of the building
Infill walling
provides weather proof enclosure but is non-loadbearing. It leaves the main structural frame of the building expoosed.
Loadbearing walls advantages (3)
- Familiar, 2. Good loadbearing performance, 3. No need for frame
Loadbearing walls disadvantages (3)
- Slow 2. expensive, 3. Height of building limited
External cladding disadvantages (2)
- Maintenance of joints may be required, 2. heavy if concrete used
External cladding advantages (4)
- Cheap if mass produced, 2. fast, 3. Frame is covered, 4. Variety of materials can be used
Curtain walling advantages (4)
- Modern aesthetic, 2. Prefabricated, 3. Self-supported/independent of frame, 4. Upgradable
Curtain walling disadvantages (2)
- Expensive, 2. Non-traditional appearance
Infill walling advantages (3)
- Cheap, 2. familiar technology, 3. supported off structural frame
Infill walling disadvantages (3)
- Potential for cold bridging, 2. old-fashioned appearance, 3. Exposed frame requires maintenance
What does weather protection entail?
The ability to exclude wind, rain, snow and heat/glare
What is EPBD and what is it aimed at in UK Building regulations?
Energy performance of buildings directive. It is concerned with Conservation of fuel and power