The Role of the structural engineer in the design of a facade

Mike Otlet Head of Structural Engineering Atkins

5th April 2006

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The role of the structural engineer in the design of the faade varies from project to project depending on the span and complexity of the proposed system

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Paddington Station, London

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What ever the size of the project the same five issues must be considered Imposed loads- laterally and vertically Support structure movements Host structure movements Temperature effects Tolerances

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The engineer must decide the support points and load paths for the cladding and allow for these loads and the effects of these loads on the main (host) structure

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Vertical loads and their effects

Constructions effects Live load deflections Moving loads

Density kN/m3 Glass Aluminium Steel Stainless steel Silicone Neoprene 25-27 27 77 77 12 10

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decrease in joint width increase in joint width

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Load path

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Make sure that in the event of a failure of one glass panel no other panels will break- and where possible the broken glass is contained

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Wind loads and their effects Wind tunnel testing Glass deflections Structure deflections Host structure movements

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Glass Panel deflection

MAX DISP: L/100

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Permissible glass panel deflections

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Through bolt fixing

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FEA of glass panel deflection

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Glass Fin support beams

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Steel Fin support beams L/360 typical deflection limit

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Trusses L/360 typical deflection limit

Bridgwater Hall Manchester

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Temperature effects

Typical UK Host structure temperatures oC

Ambient Maximum Minimum

15 32 -1

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Typical UK Air temperature oC

Ambient construction Outside maximum Outside minimum Inside maximum Inside minimum

15 30 -20 30 0

Coefficient of thermal expansion /k

Glass Aluminium steel Stainless steel Silicone neoprene

7.7-8.8 E-6 27 E-6 12 E-6 16 E-6 ~100 E-6 ~100 E-6

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Host structure movements:

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Sway

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DEFRA Office Refurbishment London

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Sage HQ, Newcastle

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Korean World Trade Centre, Seoul

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Korean World Trade Centre, Seoul

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Korean World Trade Centre, Seoul

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17.5 mm expansion

Thermal movement

12.0 mm contraction

12.0 mm contraction

17.5 mm expansion

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+5.0mm 25.0mm

Host structure movement

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Tension balanced between catenary cable and rod

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Decreased tension in catenery cable increased tension in back rod Increased tension in catenery cable decrease in front rod

Wind loading

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SBS TV Headquarters, Seoul

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SBS TV Headquarters, Seoul

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+/- 25mm thermal movement

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

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mullion

Rocker arm

+/- 25mm

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4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Connections to host structure

Vertical movement

4 4

Z X Y
5 3 3 3 3 3

44 44 5 5 5

44 44 5 5 5

44 44 6 8 44 6 44

77

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

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Sliding truss connection

Fixed truss connection

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pin

pin

Thermal movement

Connections to host structure

wishbone

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pin

pin

Seismic and wind movements Connections to host structure

wishbone

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44

6 44 44

44 44 6 5 5

44 44

44 3

Y X Z
3 3 3 3 3 3 3

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And to conclude;
What ever the size of the project the five key issues must be considered Determine the imposed loads- laterally and vertically Calculate the support structure movements Determine the host structure movements and the effects on the cladding Calculate the temperature effects Allow for the appropriate tolerances

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Detail the connections and junctions carefully to cope with the movements and deflections calculated, in a manner that enhances the design and does not detract from it. Test unusual designs and dont be afraid to make mock-ups Safe use of overhead glass must be a priority

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