Durability of suspension facade systems with air gap

Abstract

Overhanging ventilated facade is a very important engineering structure, the experience of using which in construction engineering for a long time, especially in this country, is not so wide. Information available in foreign publications, mostly in special ones, is, as a rule, of the advertising type. Details of the design, which determine the corrosion resistance of the ventilated façade and consequently its durability, lack in these sources. Thus, the corrosion resistance of supporting structures in suspension façade systems (further SFS) is one of the main parameters influencing their reliable and safe operation.The planned term of facade usage is not clear either. According to the data available, in foreign practice the term of exploiting ventilated facades is 25 years. In Russia [1, 2] the estimated term for ventilated façade operation varies from 25 to 50 years.In Germany, scientific research has been made and the first modern design elements as well as technologies for mounting the ventilated façades have been developed since 1950-ies. The all-European Manual ETAG 034 is used now.The analysis has shown that there is no enough regulation and technical documents of the federal level for designing, erecting and using SFS. In studying the documents it has been found that there is enough practical experience accumulated for using various SFS, on the basis of which it is possible to draw up national regulation documents for providing safe exploitation and durability of suspension facade systems.The paper contains data on forecast terms of SFS operation in normal conditions of their usage, which have been determined after investigation of corrosion defects in bearing metal components of various SFS.