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Faades: Curtain walling

Curtain walling is a non-load bearing cladding system located in front of the structure to form an integral part of the building envelope. Although its prime purpose is to create a weatherproof barrier, it can be designed and fabricated to introduce individuality to the buildings aesthetic appeal. While curtain walling is usually characterised by a square or rectangular grid of mullions and transoms, other shapes, such as trapezoids and triangles, can be incorporated in the design. The specification of the glass and use of opening ventilators introduces comfort and light to the internal environment.

Glazing

High and low rise faades can be created and the designs can be further enhanced with faceted curves, sloped roofs and canopies including ridges, hips and valleys, also pyramids and lantern lights. A faade of curtain walling can incorporate inserts such as tilt and turn, top swing, pivot windows and side hung windows. Concealed vents, either top hung or tilt and turn, as well as commercial doors to suit the requirements of the project, can also be incorporated.

t Guernsey Airport Architect: Kensington Taylor, Main contractor: Hochtief (UK).

Technal curtain walling with SGG PARSOL grey & SGG SECURIT on the North elevations and SGG SECURIT COOL-LITE & SGG STADIP on the South elevations.

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Faades: Curtain walling
Design criteria
The design challenge is to create the image but keep stability and weather-resistant properties while withstanding: wind loads dead loads due to the self-weight of the installation building movement imposed loads produced by the intended use of the building in certain applications loads associated with guarding. SOLAGLAS CONTRACTING will calculate the required mullion and transom size for each project provided all necessary criteria are supplied, including: full plans and elevations relevant to the works to be carried out design wind pressure and category position of available connections to structure glazing specification.

Mullions and transoms

The mullions supply the support to a curtain wall screen and the configuration of the box section determines their strength. The depth of the box and/or the addition of internal reinforcing gives a variety of ways to add strength. For a given wind load the strength required for the mullion depends on the span between fixing points and the weight of glazing it is required to support.

Aluminium mullion

Aluminium transom Double-glazed unit

Aluminium pressure plate

EPDM thermal strip EPDM gasket

Aluminium cap

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Faades: Curtain walling
At no time should a curtain wall mullion be used as a structural member within the building, or have loads designed for the primary structure transferred to the curtain wall grid. The selection of transom is calculated from the wind load, weight of the infill panel and the span. Attention should also be paid to the maximum allowable loading that the transoms are able to carry. Although the depth of the mullion and transom may vary between 20 to 200mm, the sight width for a given system remains the same. Mullions and transoms are 45, 52 and 64mm across the face depending on the application and the specific system adopted. Whilst the vertical distances between structural fixings would normally be floors, larger spans can be specified subject to calculation. Within the grid size, the introduction of intermediate transoms and mullions lead to a variety of design options for vision and non-vision areas. The infill glass panels must be chosen so as to withstand the stress caused by wind pressure. The correct choice depends on pane size, dimensions, method of support and wind load. Sensible design will also take into account the need to limit deflection in the glass so as not to be visually disturbing. Generally, the larger the span between structural fixings, the greater the wind load and the greater the panel weight, the deeper the mullion and transom will be. As each project presents different sets of circumstances, it is difficult to give typical sizes. Depending on the configuration of the primary structure, the curtain wall is either hung or propped.
433 Faades: Curtain walling

Glazing

Building tolerances and movement

Building tolerances must be allowed for as the structural opening and fixing areas may not always be plumb, square and true dimensionally. Thus when designing a curtain wall screen consideration must be given to allow for tolerances within the building make-up. During a buildings life-span the fixing points and openings may be subject to movement which must also be taken into account during the design stages of the curtain wall screen. Maximum and minimum dimensions for tolerances and movement must be ascertained and agreed during the pre-contract design stage. At no time should a mullion member be fixed rigid at all fixing points to structure. Slotted holes in the brackets at the anchor points allow for movement between the curtain wall and the structure. Expansion joints can be incorporated to join two mullions to allow for the vertical movement of the aluminium. Longitudinal movements for a short run of curtain wall may be accommodated at the wall junction, but for long runs intermediate expansion joints on the transom must be formed.

Weatherresistance
SAINT-GOBAIN SOLAGLAS uses fully tested and certificated systems. See Faades page 419 to 430.

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Faades: Curtain walling
The transom to mullion join can be fixed in a number of ways depending on the site conditions and constraints: spigot block penetrating A pressure plate holds the infill in place and allows drainage and pressure equalisation using slots. The external capping provides a neat finish and is available in a variety of profiles and sizes to suit needs. The curtain wall sections are thermally improved using an integral thermal strip, made from EPDM, which separates the internal box from the pressure plates and external cappings. All infills are dry glazed using EPDM gaskets both inside and out. Setting blocks are used between the bottom edge of the glazing unit and the frame to support and centralise the unit in the opening. Tolerances in fabrication are in accordance with BS 4873.

Wall junction

Fabrication and installation

SOLAGLAS CONTRACTING offers a skilled and professional aluminium fabrication operation, providing nationwide coverage from ISO 9001 accredited manufacturing sites. Mullions and transoms are square cut from sections of aluminium alloy 6063 T6 and conform to BS 1474.

Spigot system transom

Penetrating transom

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Faades: Curtain walling
Effective joint design
Careful attention to detail is the hallmark of a sound curtain walling system. Joints throughout the faade must be designed to allow for: even distribution of the weight of the glass panel and wind loads upon it resistance to all loads without distortion retaining weather-resistant properties allowance for differential thermal movement preservation of environmental control properties means of maintenance design requirements
t The Light Box, Manchester
Architect: Leslie Jones Main contractor: Balfour Beatty Technal curtain walling with SGG SATINOVO

Glazing

Framing materials Aluminium

In commercial buildings aluminium is the predominant framing material because of its: high strength to weight ratio flexibility of design and colour options high resistance to corrosion good cryogenic properties Aluminium is also eminently recyclable without losing quality. The strength of aluminium varies depending on the addition of small amounts of other metals. Profiles predominantly used in framing are extruded from aluminium alloys 6063 T6 and conform to BS 1474. Sections used for curtain walling and window frames are formed by extrusion. Hot aluminium, between temperatures of 400-500C, is forced through a carefully engineered die. It comes out of the extrusion process with a smooth surface protected by a natural oxide coating and is known as a mill finish. Aluminium in this state cannot be relied upon to keep its appearance in wet corrosive atmospheres. Although the structural integrity of the aluminium will not be affected, either painting using a polyester powder or anodising can protect the surface and provide a great range of colour finishes.

Surface finishes
See Faades page 419 to 430.

Gaskets and sealants

See Faades page 419 to 430.
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Faades: Curtain walling
Brackets
Fixing brackets are manufactured from rust proofed steel or aluminium as dictated by the design of the installation. Brackets and fixings are designed by SOLAGLAS CONTRACTING specifically to suit the projects requirements. Key criteria when considering curtain walling: Overall size and dimensions Transom / mullion spans Fixing points Wind speed and loading Glass specification Guarding Manifestation Environmental control Surface finish Flashing / cill detail For more information, contact SOLAGLAS CONTRACTING.

Fire
Curtain walling systems are not normally required to provide fire resistance unless specified. Such systems are not normally composed of materials which readily support combustion, add significantly to the fire load, and/or give off toxic fumes. Approved Document B of the Building Regulations relates to fire safety. External walls and roofs require adequate resistance to the spread of fire in the external envelope, and that the spread of fire from one building to another is restricted.

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