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Specialist Diploma in M&E

Coordination -
Cladding/Curtain Walling

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Scope

1. Definition of Cladding
2. Types of Facade Systems
3. Performance Requirements
4. Information Required by Authority
5. Maintenance and Inspection Checklist
6. Failure of Cladding Systems

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Building Envelope - Cladding

1. Cladding is a wall acting as a primary barrier to protect the


building against air infiltration, water penetration, wind
resistance and sound.

2. Cladding does not carry any structural loads apart from its
own weight and any imposed wind loadings

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Types of Facade System

A. Stone Cladding
B. Precast Cladding
C. Glass Reinforced Polyester
Panel (GRP)
D. Glass Reinforced Concrete
(GRC)
E. Curtain Walling

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A. Stone Cladding

1. Consists of granite, limestone,


sandstone, marble.
2. Stone should not exhibit
texture variation that will cause
by differential weathering or
cracks to develop
3. Require more complex fixtures
than masonry cladding.
4. Minimise thickness of stone to
reduce weight to structural
foundation and wind loads.

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B. Precast Cladding

1. Typical 3m in height and not carrying any structural load


2. Span between floor edge beams supports all other loads
independently.
3. No need for continuous background support but supports for
masonry are required for span more than12 m.
4. Composed of dense concrete mix and steel-welded fabric
5. In 50mm to 75 mm thick to reduce weight
6. All fixings allows for 3 way adjustment for panel to align and
level.
7. Fixtures provides loadbearing for dead weight and restraining
to wind pressure and suction.

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B. Precast Cladding

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C. Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP)

1. Composite durable resin with glass fiber


treatment
2. High strength, low density and lightweight
3. Able to sustain high load
4. Fixing by clamping the panel back to
structure
5. Good weather resistance
6. Can be moulded to any profile
7. Good aesthetic properties
8. Costly to produce mould
9. Need to repair on mould when damage

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D. Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GRC)

1. Consists of silica, sand and water mixed with alkali resistant


glass fiber
2. Weather resistant, non-combustible, low thermal movement
3. High strength
4. Fixing by angle cleats and dowels

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E. Curtain walling

1. New Evolution of hanging walls


2. Aluminium/Steel and glass

A. Stick System B. Unitised System

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E. Curtain walling

A. Stick System (mullion type)


1. Vertical members or
mullion mounted on the
structural members
2. Mullion installed first and
pre-assembled framed
units are placed between
them.
3. Rely on secondary
structural grid set within or
parallel to the wall plane
4. Grid consists of vertical
members(mullion),
intersected by horizontal
members (transom)
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E. Curtain walling
A. Stick System (mullion type)

5. Mullion spacing between 1.2 to


3m
6. Transom spacing depends on
sheeting material.
7. Built up in situ from linear sections
(sticks)
8. Used for lighter cladding materials
e.g. aluminium panels and glazing
9. Performance relies on site works

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E. Curtain walling
B. Unitised System (panel type)

1. The façade is composed


of large framed units
2. Panels made from metallic
sheets or precast concrete
3. Allow consistent pattern for
the façade
4. Superior quality control
5. Fabrication, assembly and
installation of glazing in
factory-controlled
environment.

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E. Curtain walling

B. Unitised System (panel type)

6. Split mullions allow for quick setting of


frames
7. Transom allows for building movement
and inter-storey drift.
8. Accept single or insulating glass, metal
panels and stone.
9. Minimal site works but fixings need to
be monitored

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Failure of cladding systems

A. Structural failure C. Fixture failure


1. Poor concrete design 1. Use of dissimilar metals
2. Poor workmanship 2. Incorrect choice of fixing
3. Physical overloading 3. Poor alignment
4. Omission of reinforcement 4. Failure due to overstress
5. Omission of fixtures
B. Cladding failure 6. Over/under tightening of
bolts
1. Material failure (e.g. 7. Oversized holes
structural silicone)
8. Bored holes dusty
2. Lack or poor movement (chemical anchors)
joints

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Cladding – Performance Requirements

1. Cladding must achieve the following performance


requirements:

• Air permeability
• Water tightness
• Wind resistance
• Loading Deflection
• Sound Transmission

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Performance Requirements

Air permeability
1. Air flow expressed as average leakage rate per m length of
opening joint visible on inner face of cladding.
2. For opening lights, the leakage not exceed the graph below

Pressure Difference Pa

3. For fixed lights, average leakage rate not exceed 0.5 m3/h
per m length of visible perimeter glass or glazing material at
pressure of 200 pa.
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Performance Requirements

Water Tightness
1. Prevent ingress of moisture from surface dampness and run
off or wind driven rain.
2. Leakage assessed by visual observation
3. Failure occurs when leakage takes place
4. Occurrence of condensation is acceptable
5. Overflow or leakage of water from sill tracks is not
acceptable
6. Accumulation of water in sliding window and door sill tracks
is acceptable if:
a. Water is contained and drained to the exterior
b. No wetting of surface visible to the occupants
c. No staining or damage to part of the building and
finishing.

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Leakage

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Performance Requirements

Wind Resistance
1. Positive and negative design wind pressure
determined in accordance with BS CP 3 or
other wind design Code’s acceptable by the
authority.

2. Deflections not exceed 1/175 of clear span or


20 mm whichever is lesser at the design
pressure.

3. No breakage, permanent damage to panels,


fasteners or anchors shall occur – residue
deflection to wall framing member not
exceed 0.2% of their clear spans at a load
equal to 1.5 times specified design wind
pressure ( positive and negative)
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Performance Requirements

Sound Transmission
1. Sound transmission loss (in decibel) be in 1/3 octave bands
from 100 Hz to 5000 Hz.

2. Sound transmission loss of cladding dependent on acoustic


performance of infill panel material, mullions and joint details. –
The component that has the lowest sound transmission lost
will determine the overall acoustic performance of the
cladding.

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Information Requirements to Building
Authority
1. Structural framing and key structural details and installation
procedures
2. Structural calculations comprising design check on the parent
structure, analysis on the structural adequacy and stability of
curtain wall system
3. Workmanship specification for welding, galvanisation measures to
overcome bi-metalic effects and corrosion prevention
4. Elevations including panel arrangements
5. Sections showing structural members and supports
6. Connections details
7. Specification on allowable tolerance of the positioning of curtain
wall supports.
8. Material specifications for structural steel, aluminium alloy, cast- in
anchors, fixing screws, structural sealant and glazing.
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Maintenance and Inspection Checklist

1. Cracked, loose, broken or missing glass panels


2. Bulging, bowling, separation or displacement of panels
3. Staining – rust, chemical or water
4. Fixings – damaged and missing parts, corrosion, looseness
5. Sealant – extrusion between joints and panels, change in colour
and other signs of deterioration
6. Hardening or cracking gaskets
7. Malfunction of locking devices and bar hinges of operable windows
8. Water seepage or moisture behind curtain wall or window

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