L1 - Construction Technology - Facade

Question 1

What external wall systems are you aware of?

Answer 1

Stick
Unitised
Curtain walling

Question 2

What is a stick system?

Answer 2

A stick system is when the parts are delivered to site and installed piece by piece on site.
System usually requires scaffolding which has an affect on prelims.
Short lead in times but longer construction time.

Question 3

What is a unitised system?

Answer 3

A unitised system is prefabricated modules off-site which are delivered to site and installed as panels.
These can be installed from the floor plates.
Longer lead in, shorter construction on site.
Usually high quality as factory produced.

Question 4

What is curtain walling?

Answer 4

Curtain walling is non structural loading, a lot of façade systems inherent some of the structures load, whereas a curtain walling system holds its own weight and is no part of the structural system.
They can range from spandrel panels, glazing and terracotta.

Question 5

What is rainscreen cladding?

Answer 5

Rainscreens formed of thin, pre-fabricated panels. The rainscreen itself prevents water penetrating into the wall construction

Question 6

What is the cheapest facade system?

Answer 6

Stick system would be cheapest but would have to weigh up the labour, programme, scaffolding etc.

Unitised has fewer defects.

Question 7

When is unitised facades ideal?

Answer 7

High rise towers
When site constraints, quicker assembly on site required and less labour

Question 8

What is the purpose of solar shading and bris-solei?

Answer 8

To control the impact of the sun on the facade and control the G-Value on the glass

Question 9

What is the difference between G-Values and U-Values?

Answer 9

G-Value is the solar gain on the glass

U-values is related to insulation in which the speed of heat will transfer in and out of a building.

Question 10

What would you need to do if there are poor G and U values?

Answer 10

Enhance the MEP to account for this loss