DESIGN OF LIGHTWEIGHT FAÇADES

Architectural Project Introduction Handbook

Hydro Building Systems

February 2007
AUTHORS

Joan-Lluís Zamora i Mestre – Architect (DArch)

Institut de Tecnologia de la Construcció de Catalunya (ITeC)

(Institute of Construction Technology, Catalonia)

Juan Manuel Calderón – Industrial Engineer

Hydro Building Systems S.L.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF

Juan Company Salvador – Dr. of Industrial Engineering

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF

Fructuós Mañà i Reixach – Dr. of Architecture

Institut de Tecnologia de la Construcció de Catalunya (ITeC)

(Institute of Construction Technology, Catalonia)

TECHNAL, WICONA and DOMAL are registered trade marks of Hydro Building Systems.
 DESIGN OF LIGHTWEIGHT FAÇADES

Index

1. Document Overview ......................................................................................................................7

1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................8

1.2 Historical summary: from the window to the façade .................................................................9

2. From raw materials to products.................................................................................................15

2.1 Aluminium ....................................................................................................................................15

2.1.1 Basic properties of aluminium ...........................................................................................16
2.1.2 Aluminium extrusion ..........................................................................................................17
2.1.3 Final surface treatments....................................................................................................21
2.1.3.1 Anodising ...........................................................................................................21
2.1.3.2 Painting ..............................................................................................................23
2.1.3.3 Other enhancement processes..........................................................................24
2.1.4 Aluminium corrosion..........................................................................................................24

2.2 Glass ............................................................................................................................................25

2.2.1 Mechanical characteristics ................................................................................................25
2.2.1.1 Compression resistance ....................................................................................25
2.2.1.2 Stretch resistance ..............................................................................................25
2.2.1.3 Flexion resistance ..............................................................................................25
2.2.1.4 Permitted working stresses according to position and type of glass .................25
2.2.1.5 Treatment processes. Categories ......................................................................26
2.2.1.6 Factors involved in calculation of glass thickness .............................................29
2.2.2 Optical and energy properties of glass..............................................................................29
2.2.3 Assembly...........................................................................................................................29
2.3 Other materials and products ....................................................................................................30
2.3.1 Infill panels ........................................................................................................................30
2.3.1.1 Composition .......................................................................................................30
2.3.1.2 Categories .........................................................................................................31
2.3.2 Finishing ............................................................................................................................33

3. From products to façade system ...............................................................................................37

3.1 Types of architecture ..................................................................................................................37

3.2 Types of assembly ......................................................................................................................40

3.3 Types of construction .................................................................................................................41

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 Index

4. Technical requirements ..............................................................................................................43

4.1 Comfort requirements.................................................................................................................44

4.1.1 Hygrothermal comfort....................................................................................................... 44
4.1.2 Acoustic comfort................................................................................................................46
4.1.3 Light comfort .....................................................................................................................47
4.1.4 Tactile comfort ...................................................................................................................47

4.2 Safety requirements ....................................................................................................................47

4.2.1 Health ................................................................................................................................47
4.2.2 Fire safety .........................................................................................................................48
4.2.3 Electrical discharge ...........................................................................................................50
4.2.4 Structural ...........................................................................................................................50
4.2.4.1 Distortion prevention ..........................................................................................50
4.2.4.2 Sensitivity to structural distortion of the building ................................................51
4.2.4.3 Comparison of the components of the façade ...................................................52
4.2.4.3.1 Glass .............................................................................................52
4.2.4.3.2 Profiles ..........................................................................................54
4.2.4.3.3 Calculation procedure ...................................................................56
4.2.4.3.3.1 Calculation hypothesis ...........................................56
4.2.4.3.3.2 Practical example...................................................60
4.2.5 Break-in security ...............................................................................................................65
4.2.6 Security against penetration of air and water ....................................................................65

4.3 Usage requirements ....................................................................................................................65

4.3.1 Functionality ......................................................................................................................65
4.3.2 Compatibility......................................................................................................................65
4.3.3 Dismantling capability .......................................................................................................67
4.3.4 Access...............................................................................................................................67
4.3.5 Dimensional coordination and tolerances .........................................................................67
4.3.5.1 System tolerances .............................................................................................67
4.3.5.2 Structural tolerances ..........................................................................................67
4.3.6 Durability ...........................................................................................................................68

4.4 Environmental requirements......................................................................................................68

4.4.1 Waste ................................................................................................................................68
4.4.2 Life cycle ...........................................................................................................................68
4.4.3 Environmental impact........................................................................................................68

5. Lightweight façade technologies...............................................................................................71

5.1 Visible structure façades ............................................................................................................71

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 DESIGN OF LIGHTWEIGHT FAÇADES

05.2 Structural silicone façades ........................................................................................................74

5.2.1 Terminology and classification ............................................................................................75
5.2.2 Technical requirements for structural silicone ....................................................................77
5.2.3 Loads ..................................................................................................................................78
5.2.4 Securing brackets ...............................................................................................................79
05.3 Bolted glass façades ..................................................................................................................79

05.4 Ventilated façades ......................................................................................................................80

5.4.1 Energy analysis of ventilated façades ................................................................................81
5.4.2 Categories ..........................................................................................................................81
5.4.3 Ventilated façades versus breathing façades .....................................................................83

05.5 Energy-generating façades ........................................................................................................84

06. Architectural project conditions: how to approach a lightweight façade .............................87

06.1 Initial options...............................................................................................................................87

06.2 Working jointly with industry.....................................................................................................88

06.3 Optimisation ................................................................................................................................88

06.4 Relation to the other construction elements of the building ..................................................88

06.5 Technical quality of the project .................................................................................................88

06.6 Documentation quality of the project .......................................................................................89

07. Implementation conditions: how to carry out the construction of a lightweight façade .....93

07.1 Workshop manufacture ..............................................................................................................93

07.2 Transport .....................................................................................................................................93

07.3 Assembly .....................................................................................................................................93

08. Cost conditions for lightweight façades: how to adjust costs without affecting quality ....95

08.1 Indicators .....................................................................................................................................95

08.2 Productivity factors ....................................................................................................................95

08.3 Working efficiency factors .........................................................................................................95

08.4 Economic quality of the project ................................................................................................95

09. Façade quality conditions:how to certify the quality of a glass façade ................................97

10. Case studies. Buildings provided with lightweight façades by

Hydro Building Systems S.L. .....................................................................................................99

11. Appendices ............................................................................................................................... 111

11.1 Technical terminology .............................................................................................................. 111

11.2 Standards .................................................................................................................................. 116
11.3 Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 119

11.4 Web links ...................................................................................................................................120