Window Wall Flashcards
comprises one of the element of facade technology in high rise building
Curtain wall system
involves window wall, cladding elements, and curtain walls which generates the exterior of the building
Facade
Facade involves
Window wall
cladding elements
Curtain walls
Now possess structural importance equivalent to that gained by other structural elements of the building
Curtain wall system
is a fundamental function of a facade
Water penetration
This function is more of an environment concern to reduce emission of carbon dioxide due to rate of heat loss or gain
Air impermeability
Wind actions are transferred by the cladding system to the building act as a
Linear support
necessary between the inside and the outside environment mainly city centered building
Acoustic insulation
Strictly necessary for a facade in order to reduce energy consumption and co2 emissions
Thermal insulation function
where complete defense of water is conducted
Primary level
Where a direction to let percolated water to drained out has to be provided
Secondary level
are transferred by cladding system to the building floors which act as a linear support
Wind actions
This can be reduced by providing selective solar control coating on one of the surface of the glass
Solar levels
This coating is called —— because solar radiation of different wavelengths is selectively allowed to pass through the coating
selective
are factory pre casted systems
Curtain wall system
Functions of curtain walls in buildings
Elimination of water penetration
Air impermeability
Resistance to wind, thermal and acoustic action
Solar level
Two types of curtain wall system
Stick curtain wall system
Unitized curtain wall system
Involves its component to be assembled piece by piece on the building at the site
Stick curtain wall system
Stick curtain wall are mainly installed in
Low rise building or small regions
mainly installed in low rise building or small regions
Stick curtain wall system
gains the advantage of low shipping cost as onsite adjustments are possible
stick curtain wall system
Involves assembling by means of interlocking units that are bought from the factory
Unitize curtain wall system
This system is mainly used in high rise building
Unitize curtain wall system
Components of a curtain wall
Transom
Mullions
Vision glass
Anchor
Horizontal members on the curtain wall panel
Transom
Vertical rails
Mullions
Is identified by the split mullions and the transforms that are evident in the panel perimeters
Unitized system
mainly deals with the issue of water permeability
Weather tightness
In order to avoid weather tightness ____ are employed
impermeable insulating units (glazed units)
Most of the support are held at the
Edge beams
Would prevent damage to the curtain wall and cladding system particularly when it is highly glazed
Proper edge beam provision
Can be provided so that they can span between the perimeter columns
Alternative steel strong backs
The strong backs are mainly
Hot rolled sections
Are considered structural elements of a building
Curtain walls
Are commonly used methods of exterior cladding for mid-rise and high-rise buildings
Curtain wall and window wall
Spans only a a single floor, is supported by the slab below and above, and is therefore installed within the slab edge
Window wall system
Is a structurally independent/self supporting system, typically spanning multiple stories, and is installed proud of/ beyond the slab edge
Curtain wall
This systems inherently act as the primary air/vapor/ weather - resistive barrier for the building envelope
Enclosure/Barrier
Beyond clear glass, these systems can incorporate panels of metal, stone, opaque glass, etc.
Cladding
While they do not have the same insulation value as a solid or framed wall, these systems do provide some degree of insulation value
Insulation
While these are not bearing walls, they transfer their loads to the main building structure, and need to be designed to resist wind and other lateral loads
Structural
Two main types of curtain wall systems
Stick-built
Unitized
Arrives at the site as a kit of parts
Stick-built
Arrives at the job site in prefabricated panels
Unitized
The metal extrusion between glazing panels that supports the system
Mullion
A metal plate secured to the mullion to retain the glass in place, typically 2 or more inches wide
Pressure plate
To give more minimal appearance
Structural silicone
Two or more panes of glass separated by a spacer and filled with an inert gas
Insulated glazing unit (IGU)
Often referred to as double-glazed or double-pane
Insulated glazing unit (IGU)
The component that separates the glass panes at the edge of the IGU.
Spacer
It often includes a desiccant material to absorb moisture.
Spacer
used to separate IGU edge from the mullion/frame at the perimeter
Setting blocks
Extruded rubber used as a glazing seal between the IGU and mullion.
Gasket
They are compressed into a joint between frame and window at both the exterior and interior.
Gaskets
In lieu of gaskets, field-applied wet sealant can be installed between the IGU and mullion.
Wet seals
Are typically silicone applied over a backer rod or glazing tape
Wet seals
These are glass panels that do not move
Fixed glazing
These are hinged or sliding glazed panels that allow for the introduction of fresh air into the building
Operable panel/vent
These require specialized hardware and a “frame within a frame” to hold the glazing in place
Operable panel/vent
As opposed to vision glass, a ___ is an opaque panel of either obscured coated glass or another material
Spandrel panel
They are typically used to conceal structural elements or interstitial space.
Spandrel panel
There is often a ____ or ____ behind the panel to hold/ conceal insulation to improve the thermal performance of the overall system
Shadow box or backpan
A panel that incorporates louvers for the operation of mechanical units.
Louvered panel
Should be integrated with a sleeve to allow for protection from water infiltration and allows for drainage to the exterior
Louvered panel
ties the curtain wall to the slab edges or structural frame
Anchor
Can be embedded when the slab is poured or fastened to slab after the slab is in place
Anchor
Often a C-shaped channel design to accept the sill, jamb, and head of the overall frame to hold the system in place
Receptor
Separates exterior metal mullion components from interior metal mullion components
Thermal break
It reduces the thermal conduction through frame/ mullions by making the metal discontinuous.
Thermal break
This may be a result of inadequate design for anticipated loads, inadequate design for deflection, improper or insufficient anchoring
Structural failure
This may be a result of defects inherent to the window system itself ; penetrations in the system; interfaces with adjacent building systems
Water or air infiltration
This may be caused by physical impact either during construction or post-construction ; weakening of the glass
Glass breakage
This is a result of condensation occurring between the panes of glass, which is caused by a failure in the seal at the spacer of the IGU
Fogging of IGUs
This is a result of the surface temperature of the interior frame and/or glass dropping below the dew point.
Indoor condensation
Typical failures
- structural failure
- water/ air infiltration
-glass breakage
-fogging of IGUs
-indoor condensation
In ____ forensic investigations, we have encountered a variety of ways in which curtain wall and window wall systems can fail.
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