Effects of Permeability on the Dynamic Properties and Weathertightness of Double Skin Curtain Walls
Publication: Structures Congress 2022
ABSTRACT
Cavity permeability influences the rate of pressure equalization and load sharing between the two glazed walls of a double skin curtain wall. It is also known to affect weathertightness in these non-structural systems. However, in testing the weathertightness of curtain wall systems, manufacturers and regulators usually use testing sequences that do not replicate realistic wind events or co-occurring wind and rain events, which are some of the factors leading to water penetration and mist formation within the cavity of double skin systems. A full-scale wind testing study was carried out on a novel closed cavity double skin glazed curtain wall unit at 22.4 m/s, 31.3 m/s, and 40.2 m/s wind speeds with wind directions varying between 0° and 360° in 15° increments. This study finds the strong dependence between permeability and load sharing, water penetration, and dynamic properties. It also shows the limit of current code guidance in predicting load sharing at higher permeability.
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Structures Congress 2022
Pages: 444 - 456
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Published online: Apr 18, 2022
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