Metal Framing Research Articles

Noise and structural vibration assessment of the Qubit 360 partition wall system

High-rise buildings can be highly susceptible to the action of dynamic loads produced by the action of wind and earthquakes. Creaky noise towers can be a major, and often overlooked, consideration in the design and operation of new developments. A reliable and considered approach to assessing creaky towers is needed to achieve relevant standards and to minimize environmental impacts on buildings and structures. In collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology and Traxx Metal Framing Systems, our team tested the structure-borne noise and vibration responses of a lightweight prototype implementing a patented vibration isolation system for building movements, Qubit 360. The primary goal of this research work was to refine, develop, and test this innovative system that can be used in multi-storey constructions and confirm the structural and vibro-acoustic behavior during a loading series of lateral drift simulating the movement of a building. Monitoring a structure with the Multi-Axis Substructure Testing System under the dynamics effects of different loading events allowed our team to understand the dynamic behavior of a lightweight prototype, and improve its safety, reliability, performance, and comfort. The proposed abstract will focus on an overview of the process involved in the laboratory and will present the vibro-acoustics results for a number of different specimens that implement the isolation system.

A Bilateral Quadricipital Tendon Rupture in a Patient with Chronic Renal Failure

Bilateral quadricipital tendon rupture is a rare lesion, especially in patients with different chronic diseases. We report the case of a bilateral rupture of the quadricipital tendon in a young patient followed for chronic renal failure on hemodialysis for 17 years. Surgical repair was successfully performed using bone sutures and reinforcement by metal framing. We present our results with a literature review.

CNC Enabled Wood/Metal Composite Construction of (Relatively) High Performance Sailing Yachts

One problem for high performance yachts is to produce a light enough, strong enough structure. Modern fiberglass “composite” construction achieves this, but at substantial cost for the molds so fiberglass is expensive for limited construction. However, “composite” is a combination of any two materials. Before fiberglass, “composite” comprised wood planking over metal framing. Prince Edward’s, (King Edward VII) yacht Britannia was pine over steel and was a very successful racer. This system is used by a few builders of large, mainly “revival” design yachts, but it is feasible for many boat types and could reduce the cost and increase availability of limited run yachts. Modern composite construction is enabled by CAD/CAM/CNC design and cutting, engineered wood, modern coatings and adhesives, non-metallic fastenings, welding, and even aluminum. The major framing structure is cut out of metal by plasma arc, water jet, or laser cutters using standard metal industry techniques and equipment. The shell is strip planking, cold molding, carvel or lap strake planking, or plywood. Planks or shell “plating” can even be CNC cut for additional labor reduction. This method can be cost effective for a one-off or limited production boat compared to making a mold for a fiberglass boat or all wood construction. Finally, large heavy timbers are not required which not only reduces labor, but allows sustainable timber resources and sequesters the carbon in the tree in a form that hopefully will last for some decades.

Numerical study on adhesively bonded glass‐metal facade elements under different loading scenarios

Several research studies have been completed in the past fifteen years on glass panes adhesively bonded to a metal framing with the aim to enhance the structural potential of the material glass in building envelopes. However, the transfer of the obtained results into prototypes or real projects was often impeded either (i) by the degrading properties of the investigated adhesives under the real environmental conditions which facades are subjected to or (ii) because of the limited strength of the investigated silicone adhesives. This contribution presents selected results from a research project dealing with two configurations for glass‐metal facade elements with composite structural behaviour. In the case of the first configuration, which is more suitable for application in real projects due to the applied connection materials, a silicone adhesive bonding along the perimeter of the glass pane together with grouting blocks near the glass pane corners ensure the stress transfer between glass panes and framing. For the second configuration, the stress transfer is obtained solely by acrylic adhesive bonding along the perimeter of the glass pane. In this contribution, results from finite element simulations for the two configurations under different loading scenarios and levels are presented in order to point out the deformation behaviour of such elements, their structural potential as well as some of their limitations. The applied finite element model was previously validated based on experimental results. Load scenarios resulting from in‐plane and out‐of‐plane load situations as well as from temperature loads are covered by the discussed results.

Material Selection and Characterization for a Novel Frame-Integrated Curtain Wall.

Curtain walls are the façade of choice in high-rise buildings and an indispensable element of architecture for a contemporary city. In conventional curtain walls, the glass panels are simply supported by the metal framing which transfers any imposed load to the building structure. The absence of composite action between glass and metal results in deep frames, protruding to the inside, occupying valuable space and causing visual disruption. In response to the limited performance of conventional systems, an innovative frame-integrated unitized curtain wall is proposed to reduce structural depth to one fifth (80%) allowing an inside flush finish and gaining nettable space. The novel curtain wall is achieved by bonding a pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) frame to the glass producing a composite insulated glass unit (IGU). This paper selects the candidate frame and adhesive materials performing mechanical tests on GFRP pultrusions to characterize strength and elasticity and on GFRP-glass connections to identify failure module and strength. The material test results are used in a computer-based numerical model of a GFRP-glass composite unitized panel to predict the structural performance when subjected to realistic wind loads. The results confirm the reduction to one fifth is possible since the allowable deflections are within limits. It also indicates that the GFRP areas adjacent to the support might require reinforcing to reduce shear stresses.

Conformity assessment of metal framing elements

Metal framing elements made of thin sheets in combination with gypsum board panels create the system widely used in construction, primarily for partition walls and suspended ceilings. The quality of the metal framing elements depends on the quality and metal sheet thickness from which they are made of, the geometric shape of the profile, the equipment used to produce them, etc. Before being placed on the market, all products used in construction and manufactured in production facilities must meet prescribed technical requirements and specifications. The paper will present the conformity assessment of metal framing elements in accordance with the European harmonized standard EN 14195:2014 and Regulation on Construction Products No. 305/2011. The Regulation defines the conditions for the marketing of construction products on the EU internal market, as well as methods and systems for evaluation to demonstrate the continuity of the characteristics of construction products.

Interlocking cast glass components: Main principles

In this chapter a novel, reversible all-glass system consisting of dry-assembly, interlocking cast glass components is introduced that can tackle the irreversibility, strict tolerances and meticulous construction process of the adhesively bonded system presented in Chapters 5 and 6. Thanks to the interlocking geometry, the proposed system can attain the desired stiffness with the aid of minimal, if any, metal framing. The integrity and structural stability of the assembly is provided by the shape and the arrangement of the blocks themselves. The use of adhesives is obviated in the system by employing a dry, colourless interlayer as an intermediate medium between the glass components. The deformation of the interlayer can compensate for surface asperities and dimensional tolerances, allowing for an even stress distribution. Moreover, the dry-assembly enables the structure to be dis- and reassembled, which is critical for a circular economy in the built environment. Accordingly, this chapter lists the key considerations and establishes the design criteria for the development of interlocking cast glass structures. Based on the established criteria, various component geometries, forms and interlocking mechanisms are developed. The interlocking forms are kiln cast in 1:2 scale and are comparatively assessed in terms of mechanical interlocking capacity, mass distribution, residual stress generation and ease of fabrication. In parallel, a literature research is conducted on different materials for the dry, transparent interlayer, concluding that interlayers of the polyurethane family (PU and TPU) present the highest potential for a building application. From the developed designs, osteomorphic blocks are selected as the most promising concept to be further investigated.

Adhesively bonded glass-metal façade elements with composite structural behaviour under in-plane and out-of-plane loading

The structural efficiency of transparent façades can be increased by achieving a composite structural behaviour between the framing elements and the glass panes. The use of suitable intermediary materials is substantial for obtaining a composite structural behaviour for both out-of-plane and in-plane loading. This article presents two novel configurations for such glass-metal elements. For the first configuration, a perimetrical bonding with a silicone adhesive between the glass pane and the filigree metal framing is responsible for transferring stresses in out-of-plane direction, and grouting blocks are used near the glass pane corners for transferring stresses in in-plane direction. In the case of the second configuration, a perimetrical bonding with an acrylic adhesive between the glass pane and the filigree metal framing is responsible for transferring stresses in both out-of-plane and in-plane direction. Full-scale tests and finite element simulations with loads acting in three different directions, both separately and combined, are performed for the two configurations. The results of the tests performed under in-plane shear loading reveal a high load-bearing capacity of both configurations and show that failure is initiated within the adhesive joints. The numerical models, which include previously derived non-linear material models for the adhesives, allow a good prediction of the mechanical response of the investigated glass-metal elements. The presented load vs. displacement diagrams illustrate that the elements with acrylic adhesive behave stiffer both under out-of-plane and under in-plane loading before the adhesive starts to yield. Overall, the configuration with silicone adhesive and grouting represents a solution which can be applied in real projects based on existing technical approvals for the involved materials in similar applications. On the other hand, the configuration with acrylic adhesive indicates the potential of glass-metal elements with stiffer adhesives, assuming that the knowledge on such adhesives will continue to grow and that, eventually, new enhanced products will be developed by the adhesive industry.

Interlocking cast glass components

In this chapter a novel, reversible all-glass system consisting of dry-assembly, interlocking cast glass components is introduced that can tackle the irreversibility, strict tolerances and meticulous construction process of the adhesively bonded system presented in Chapters 5 and 6. Thanks to the interlocking geometry, the proposed system can attain the desired stiffness with the aid of minimal, if any, metal framing. The integrity and structural stability of the assembly is provided by the shape and the arrangement of the blocks themselves. The use of adhesives is obviated in the system by employing a dry, colourless interlayer as an intermediate medium between the glass components. The deformation of the interlayer can compensate for surface asperities and dimensional tolerances, allowing for an even stress distribution. Moreover, the dry-assembly enables the structure to be dis- and reassembled, which is critical for a circular economy in the built environment. Accordingly, this chapter lists the key considerations and establishes the design criteria for the development of interlocking cast glass structures. Based on the established criteria, various component geometries, forms and interlocking mechanisms are developed. The interlocking forms are kiln cast in 1:2 scale and are comparatively assessed in terms of mechanical interlocking capacity, mass distribution, residual stress generation and ease of fabrication. In parallel, a literature research is conducted on different materials for the dry, transparent interlayer, concluding that interlayers of the polyurethane family (PU and TPU) present the highest potential for a building application. From the developed designs, osteomorphic blocks are selected as the most promising concept to be further investigated.

Passive components limit the cost reduction of conventionally designed vanadium redox flow batteries

A superior scalability and low energy-related costs promote flow batteries to be a promising large-scale storage technology. To date however, flow batteries struggle to compete with lithium-based batteries regarding system costs.To identify costs which are susceptible by the flow battery industry, we study the technology’s value chain by breaking down the costs. The main components of a flow battery system are illustrated in Figure 1. The highlighted components are “off-the-shelf” components which are not exclusively made for flow batteries. Hence, the flow battery industry will hardly influence the price of these components, because they are already manufactured in large numbers.Our key finding is that regarding power-related costs, the conventional stack technology is at its limits. Lower electrolyte costs positively affect the system costs. However, to undercut today’s prices of lithium-based systems only by reducing electrolyte costs, a much longer storage time than requested by today’s business models is required.Hence, the power-related costs have to decrease. We show that new technologies, such as fully welded or clued stacks without using metal framing can dramatically reduce these costs. Furthermore, emphasis should be put on the control system. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is too expensive for small and medium scale energy storage systems. Hence, a more cost-efficient, smarter control system, comparable to the one used for balancing Lithium-based batteries, has to be developed.

Dow materials in Olympic quarters

The International Olympic Committee’s new energy-efficient headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, will incorporate materials from Olympic sponsor Dow Chemical. Dow’s silicone sealants will bind glass to metal framing. A styrene-acrylic binder will reduce emissions of formaldehyde from the walls. Dow’s cellulose will improve ceramic tile adhesives. And the garden roof of the parking lot will use a Dow waterproof membrane.

Fire risks due to unintentionally energized metal structures

Improperly grounded electrical equipment can lead to a fire within a home. If electrical equipment in a home is not properly grounded, then an electric fault may cause metal structures (such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ducts, metal framing, or screws, nails, and bolts) to become energized without triggering an overcurrent protection device. Electrical connections between these energized materials and grounded objects create an unintended path to ground and can lead to prolonged self-heating that can cause ignition in combustible materials such as wood framing, cellulosic insulation, and other lightweight combustibles. Alternatively, molten metal that is capable of igniting lightweight combustibles can be ejected if the energized surface contacts a well-grounded objected. This article presents results from experiments performed to investigate conditions that cause fires as a result of stray energization of electrically conductive construction items. Resistances, types of nearby combustibles, and other factors were evaluated.

Neglected ruptures of the patellar tendon: About 24 cases

The subject of this work is to clarify the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic of neglected rupture of the patellar tendon. A retrospective study of 24 cases of neglected rupture of patellar tendon, treated between June 2000 and June 2012. Our patients were 13 men and 10 women. The average age was 33 years, ranging from 21 to 52 years. Eight patients were followed for systemic diseases. The mean time to consultation was 52 days (28 days to three months). The diagnosis was done through imaging. Surgical exploration specified that the rupture was total in 19 cases, partial in five cases and located at the infra-patella in fourteen cases. All patients were operated. The repair of the lesions were made by using a fascial flap from quadriceps in 19 cases and a plasty with the semitendinosus tendon in five cases. In all cases, the tendon was put to rest and protected by a metal framing for a period. Distant results were evaluated after a mean of 27 months by Kelly and Dubourg clinical and radiological criteria. The result was fair in 18 cases and poor in 5 cases. The results of our work allowed us to conclude that the neglected rupture of the patellar tendon was the prerogative of the young and active adult. The only treatment is surgical. The major prognosis factor is the length of duration of the lesion. Early postoperative rehabilitation is of a great interest and determines the functional prognosis.

Using Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Estimating and Scheduling, Adoption Barriers

Building information modeling (BIM) is changing how buildings, infrastructures, and utilities are planned, designed, built, and managed. Though very popular for collaboration and coordination in structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical trades in multi-family projects, this study shows that BIM is rarely used for estimating and scheduling due to the cost and time it takes to complete the BIM model. However, BIM is providing broad benefits and becoming an essential construction document component for large projects. The objective of this study is to identify the major barriers to using BIM for a project's estimating and scheduling. Personal interviews and electronic questionnaires for 30 companies were used to answer the research objectives. The study focused on how sub-contractors are currently using BIM for estimating and scheduling. The study provides recommendations on using BIM for estimating. In addition, the paper presents a case study for using light gauge metal framing add on to BIM software for estimating and shop drawing, thereby incentivizing contractors to challenge the existing barriers to use BIM more efficiently. The research showed that less than 7% of multi-family contractors use BIM in their projects and less than 3% use it for estimating. The case study showed that using BIM for framing and drywall estimating in multi-family residential construction or similar projects can be practical if a basic BIM model is provided to subcontractors.

Condensation Problems in Precast Concrete Cladding Systems in Cold Climates

Abstract The use of precast concrete panels as a cladding material can provide an economical and attractive method to enclose contemporary buildings. In cold climates, improper detailing or inappropriate construction of precast clad walls can result in widespread water problems due to condensation forming within the wall construction. Condensation may form at the interior of the wall assembly due to inadequate protection against air flow through the wall, such as exfiltration of warm, moist indoor air, or by infiltration of cold outdoor air reaching the interior wall components. The condensation within the wall assembly can also be caused by water vapor diffusion into the wall from the building interior. In addition, inadequate separation and/or insulation between precast panels and adjacent cladding components, such as windows, curtain wall, or metal framing components, can result in surface condensation on these wall elements. The moisture from condensation can cause extensive damage to finish materials, including insulation and gypsum wallboard; can result in corrosion and deterioration of metal components, such as structural connections and metal wall framing; and may result in mold and mildew. This paper will (1) present examples of precast clad building wall construction where significant condensation problems have occurred; (2) discuss typical causes of condensation in precast clad buildings in cold climates; (3) review design considerations to reduce the potential for condensation in new buildings; and (4) present repair methods to address condensation in existing buildings.

Wind-missile impact capacity of essential facilities

Windborne debris during a hurricane may cause damage to building façades, resulting in significant economic losses and injury or death. Recent building codes have adopted variations of the large-wind-missile impact test in order to certify roof/wall components for hurricane resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of commonly used Florida wall and roof assemblies under enhanced large-wind-missile impact testing, beyond the basic test specified in the Florida Building Code. Relevant standards specify similar enhanced standards for essential facilities and shelters. Based on a thorough literature review, a list of wall and roof assemblies that had not been tested before was selected. Wall assemblies included wood and metal framing systems and concrete panels. Roof assemblies included metal framing systems and concrete panels. A comprehensive list of wall and roof assemblies that passed the enhanced test was developed. Assemblies that should be avoided in the construction of essential facilities were also noted.

Dietrich Metal Framing announces sublicensing of UltraSTEEL(TM); Clark Western converting operations to Hadley Technology

Dietrich Metal Framing announces sublicensing of UltraSTEEL(TM); Clark Western converting operations to Hadley Technology

Finish Ratings of Gypsum Wallboards

The term “finish rating” is used in NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC)1 to describe the required performance of finish materials installed as thermal barriers for electrical nonmetallic tubing. Finish rating data is most commonly associated with assemblies containing combustible wood framing, although the definition has also been extended to assemblies with noncombustible metal framing. To date, however, very little finish rating data has been available for common finish materials installed over metal framing. To supplement the available information, finish rating tests were conducted on identical wall sections finished with standard 1/2″ gypsum wallboard from five different manufacturers, constructed with metal and wood stud framing. All 10 assemblies tested demonstrated finish ratings of 15 minutes or more.

Viscous Displacement In Fractured Porous Media

Abstract In some fractured reservoirs, a gas pressure gradient of the order of 3–5 kPa/m may be established in the- fractures due to flow. Such a pressure gradient could result in recovery enhancement of the matrix oil. Several tests, are conducted to study viscous displacement in fractured porous media, with artificial fractures. These tests are analysed by using a fully-implicit finite difference simulator with appropriate fracture capillary pressure. The results show that there is considerable recovery improvement due to viscous displacement. For a gas pressure gradient of 3 kPa/m, the matrix oil recovery increases by 10% of PV in one of the tests. Introduction In fractured porous media comprised of matrix blocks and a fracture network, gravity and capillary forces affect the two-phase flow in the matrix blocks and the fractures. Capillary forces play a major role in the interaction between the matrix blocks via the capillary continuity mechanism(1). Gravity forces affect the drainage performance of the matrix blocks and the reinfiltration process (2). In addition to capillary and gravity forces, in certain cases, viscous forces are expected to affect the production performance of fractured reservoirs. Gas injection in some fractured reservoirs with low oil viscosity (say 0.2 mPa.s and an effective permeability to matrix permeability ratio of less than say 30) may result in a small pressure gradient in the fractures between an injection and production well. The gas pressure gradient in the fractures away from the well could be of the order of 3–5 kPa/m. Such a pressure gradient in the fractures improves matrix oil recovery by reducing the matrix capillary threshold height for gravity drainage and the capillary end effect in the horizontal displacement. There is no published data in the literature on viscous displacement in fractured porous media. The purpose of this work is to:provide experimental data on viscous displacement in fractured porous media for gas-oil displacement processes, andanalyse the data to examine the nature of displacement improvement from viscous forces. In the following, we first discuss the experimental set up and present the data, and then analyse the data using a finite difference simulator. FIGURE 1: Viscous displacement experimental setup.(Available in full paper) FIGURE 2: Matrix-fracture configurations used in the experiments (drawn not to scale). (Available in full paper) Experimental The apparatus schematic is depicted in Figure 1. It consists of a glass-walled case with metal top and bottom plates supported by metal framing. The metal framing allows the 0.95 cm thick glass plates to be forced against the rock faces. Design allows the setup to be tilted through 240 ° about a central horizontal axis. The glass case was sealed using fuel resistant room temperature vulcanizing fluorosilicone rubber. The bottom and the top end plates were made of 2.54 cm and 0.64 cm thick aluminum plates, respectively. Both plates provided connections for vacuum, ventilation, gas injection, fluid loading and drainage (see Figure 1). A valve mounted 6 cm above the bottom face of the coreholder allows gas to flow out freely without interfering with liquid flow.

Static Racking Behavior of Plywood, OSB, Gypsum, and FiberBond Walls with Metal Framing

Recent results from full-scale static racking tests and small-scale lateral shear tests on plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), gypsum wallboard (GWB), and FiberBond wallboard (FB) attached to light gauge steel studs are presented and discussed in this paper. The objectives of the tests were to investigate the performance of sheathed light gauge steel framed shear walls and determine whether simple static lateral shear values for the panel connection can provide a useful correlation with full-scale test values. The full-scale tests were conducted in accordance with the basic test criteria defined in ASTM E 72-80. A procedure similar to that described in ASTM D 1761-88 was used for the small-scale tests. Panels used in the tests included 11.9 mm APA rated four-ply plywood sheathing, 11.1 mm APA rated OSB sheathing, 12.7 mm gypsum wallboard (ASTM C 36), and 12.7 mm FiberBond wallboard. Results obtained from tests showed that failure of the walls resulted from rotation (tilting) of the fasteners about the p...