A curtain wall system is an exterior cladding of a building in which the exterior walls are non-structural, used only to keep out the weather and keep occupants inside. Since the curtain wall is not structural, it can be made of lightweight materials, which will reduce the construction cost.
Mullions are the vertical partitions and transoms are the horizontal partitions, but there are many combinations of curtain walls, sometimes a single panel is considered a curtain wall.
Here we are going to learn about curtain walls, types of curtain wall systems and how to install a curtain wall.
Introduction to curtain wall:
The curtain wall includes complete cladding and exterior wall system excluding interior finish.
These walls being generally supported by a system of braces or cables, the panels are separated by grids without mullions or crosspieces.
Some or all of the panels can be replaced by solid panels (wood, aluminum and stone), it is a wall but composed of thin elements as opposed to thick block walls, gypsum walls, etc.
Curtain wall functions:
Elimination of water penetration:
Water penetration is the essential function of a mask, it may not be possible to convey a watertight curtain panel system, so two levels of containment are placed.
The upper level where the water is kept, in case of failure at the secondary level, where a course of consumption of contaminated water must be proposed.
Air permeability:
This feature is environmentally friendly to reduce carbon dioxide emissions due to the rate of heat loss or gain in external and internal environments.
Resistance to wind, thermal and acoustic movements:
The wall cladding system transfers the wind works to the construction floor acting as a direct support.
Building cladding programs made up of large panels are often one-sided, so the level of each floor contributes to the air load on a building.
A mask requires a strict thermal insulation function in order to reduce the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of insulating supplies in each opaque and transparent area.
Acoustic isolation between the indoor and outdoor environment is essential in city-centric buildings.
Large-scale structural elements have excessive sound insulation such as masonry or concrete structures.
Solar level:
This contribution makes it possible to reduce the coating of selective solar management on one of the several glazed surfaces.
Solar radiation of different wavelengths is allowed to pass through the layer selectively, the visible wavelength of light is allowed to move freely than the ultraviolet wavelength.
For example, ultraviolet radiation can cause erosion of materials or exposure areas and a UV inhibiting film can be applied to the surface of the glazing.
Types of Curtain Wall Systems:
1.Stick curtain wall system:The stick curtain wall system includes components to be assembled by piece during construction on site, installed in low-rise buildings or small areas.
The reason for reaching a greater height, external access is required, this would additionally require scaffolding, cranes, etc.
This reduces transportation costs as on-site changes are possible, but more time and labor consumption.
2.Unit curtain wall system:The unit curtain wall system involves the use of interlocking units which are purchased from the factory.
The measurement of unified curtain walls will depend on the construction height from the floor, it is necessary to remember the mode of transport and installation when planning the depth of the mask.
This system is mainly used in high-rise buildings; it does not need outside help like a crane or scaffolding.
Only mini-cranes or temporary hoists can be mounted on the ground to facilitate installation.
This system allows for fast construction and high quality due to factory construction, but increases high loads due to the need for more comprehensive protection during transport.
3.Unitized curtain wall system:In this system, the mullion members are set up separately.
Pre-assembled frame elements are placed between them.
Curtain Wall Components:
Mullion and transom of a curtain wall:
Curtains with transoms or horizontal rails have elements horizontal to the wall panel and anchored to the edge slab or beams.
These are primarily concerned with supporting the dead weight of the curtain wall.
In traditional or viscous curtain wall techniques, each system must be deployed one at a time.
Assembly requires high quality testing and precision, but in the integrated system, the factory product comes as two units that need to be paired together.
Panel frame details:
The characteristic of the unified system is to divide the multilayer and the specific changes in the perimeter of the panel.
In the case of a sticky curtain wall, not all types of partitions are entered for a single dwelling.
In time, an intermediate crosspiece may be required, which will definitely divide the entire vertical panel into two parts.
To avoid condensation, the upright and the transom are thermally damaged, it prevents cold intertwining.
The climatic conditions of the curtain walls:
Weather sealing is mainly associated with the difficulty of water permeability and to avoid this, waterproof insulation units are used.
Any water entering the seal is directed directly to the return, which is discharged through the transom seals into the flap, or the molly is exhausted.
Support conditions of curtain walls:
This curtain wall system is suspended from above and then supported at different floor levels, so an inflexible edge beam is required to keep it away from extreme deflection.
These vertical deflections can disturb the curtain system; later, a proper edge beam will avoid hurting the curtain walls and cladding system, when extremely flashed.
Alternatively, an additional substantial metal spine can be provided for expansion between the side columns; later it is not necessary to connect to the side beam or floor slab.
Sharp spines are mostly hot rolled segments.
Curtain Wall Benefits:Small Wall Footprint:Available in additional floor area.Parallel Planning:Results in faster installation.Lighter Structure:Results in easier transport and installation.Enhanced natural light : This results in flexible architectural design. Structural flexibility: This results in easy structural engineering. Structural independence: This results in flexible architectural designs. Disadvantages of curtain wall: The construction of these walls requires highly skilled workers. a high shipping cost.It needs a higher degree of protection for the units during transportation.The need for expensive lifting equipment on site.Curtain wall application:It establishes a balance of the system.In addition , gives the best sealing performance. It is condensation resistance. Also, ensures the durability of the finish. Also read nt: Retaining Wall, Parapet Wall, Masonry Wall & CMU WallsConclusion:
A curtain wall is an essential construction due to its functions, its rapid structures, its lightness, and its appreciable aesthetic aspect.
It is an important and unique invention in the field of civil engineering.
