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The successful selection, specification and construction of curtain wall systems requires an understanding of project-based goals and site conditions, as well as a commitment to teamwork. Support for performance-based specifications helps to define terms first and then methods.
The curtain wall system-which reduces the strength required to support the weight of the upper layer, as in the case of the old building method-imposes a relatively minimal dead load and mainly acts as a filtering envelope for the building. In this role, it controls the passage of heat, light, water, air and sound, opening up many options for the expression of architectural aesthetics.
In its basic form, glass and metal curtain walls are made of lightweight metal (usually aluminum), grids assembled as individual parts on site (rod system) or as part of factory pre-assembled panels (combined system), and transparent Combination and opaque infill panels (spange). The grid is usually connected to the edge of the floor at discrete points and hung on the building like a curtain.
Glass is the most popular choice for the visual area, whether fixed or partially operable to allow ventilation. Insulating glass unit (IGU) uses double or triple glass to improve thermal performance, usually tempered or laminated, colored or low-e (low-e) coating, separated by spaces filled with dry air or inert gas (es ), or at the forefront, vacuum. Darkened or opaque spandrel glass is usually located between the visual glass areas aligned with the edge of the building floor. The spandrel glass is the area of the glass panel that hides the structural building components, such as pillars, floors, HVAC systems, wires, pipes, etc. Unlike clear glass, spandrel glass is designed to be opaque to help hide features between building floors, including vents, wires, board ends, and mechanical equipment. Other common fillers include stone finishes, metal panels, shutters, composite materials, plastics, and operable windows or vents.
When designing a metal frame curtain wall, there are generally five key design considerations:
Although the curtain wall is made of lightweight materials, it must withstand the lateral live loads mainly applied by wind, and these loads are transferred from the curtain wall to the main building structure along the load path by anchoring devices connected to the floor or column elements. Quantifying and designing to accommodate these loads is a normal procedure for structural engineers, although they are exacerbated by the height and geometry of the building and the surrounding structure or natural topography. In addition, there are loads imposed by the sway of the building caused by wind, seismic forces, and thermal expansion and contraction.
It is strongly recommended that the design load (in Pa) specific to all relevant areas of the building be stated in the code. Usually suitable for the special requirements of snow or ice loads on protruding wall elements (such as sunshades). In most cases, the appropriate design wind load can be selected by the architect from ASCE/SEI 7, the minimum design load of buildings and other structures of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Institute of Structural Engineering, or in Canada, the Canadian National Building Code ( National Broadcasting Corporation).
The compliance shall be demonstrated by testing in accordance with the American Association of Building Manufacturers (AAMA) 501.4 "Recommended static test methods for evaluating curtain wall and storefront system drift caused by wind and earthquakes". CWM-19 (page 47-5.2.3.3.6) says:
"Considering the specification interpretation issues and/or regulatory requirements not contained in the contract documents, it is the sole responsibility of the recording engineer of the building to determine the seismic motion and load. The curtain wall manufacturer is not responsible for determining these motions or loads. AAMA strongly recommends that the designator provide Design standards specific to all relevant areas of the building."
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