Test study on performance of U80 standardized glass curtain wall system

Abstract

In order to study the air infiltration performance, water penetration performance, structural performance under wind pressure and seismic inter-story drift performance of U80 standardized glass curtain wall system, one full size test specimen was designed according to the actual engineering situation. The test specimen was composed of six-unit curtain walls with exposed frames and six-unit curtain walls with concealed frames. According to the specification of United Stated, the various performance of the test specimen was investigated. The results show that the rate of air leakage of the specimen is within allowable values under design pressure. No water leakage is observed when the water penetration tests with static and dynamic pressure tests. During the structural performance tests at 100% design wind pressure, the deflections of framing members as well as glass panels are all within the allowable deflection limits. No breakage is observed under the 150% design wind pressure. Permanent deformations of framing members remain less than 0.1% of clear span. After 3 cycles of elastic and inelastic inter-story drift performance tests, no damage is observed. The U80 standardized glass curtain wall system has great air infiltration performance, water penetration performance, structural performance and seismic inter-story drift performance. And it can be used in the practical engineering.