Mechanical characterization of double-skin perforated-sheet façades

Abstract

The need to reduce energy consumption and related CO2 emissions within buildings requires further in-depth analysis of buildings and their components. Building envelope materials are crucial in that regard. One example is the double-skin façade, a passive energy saving alternative, the various advantages of which include increased acoustic protection, natural lighting, natural ventilation, and user comfort. This type of system can employ lightweight perforated steel or aluminium sheets, that are industrially manufactured. The metal frames in which the sheets are fixed withstand deformation due to wind forces that the perforated sheets alone might otherwise not withstand. In this research, the mechanical behaviour of the perforated sheets is analyzed to establish whether the use of frames is necessary and to determine, through experiments on sheet size materials and thicknesses, the optimal fold dimensions of the sheets to withstand deformation in the absence of frames. To do so, the sheets underwent Finite Element Method (FEM) modelling and laboratory testing, the results of which were carefully analyzed. The performance of the steel sheets was observably better than the thinner aluminium sheets. The sensitivity of the perforated sheets and their behaviour could be observed when the fold supports were attached to the inner structure.