ASSIGNMENT 2

FAADE ENGINEERING

49115

ASSIGNMENT 2: DESIGN
QUESTION 1: Away from the automatic door, the glazing typically comprises two
glass panels from floor level to the ceiling. If one of the bottom panels is damaged,
explain if the glass assembly is structurally adequate without the bottom panel.
Answer 1: In my view, the glass assembly is structurally adequate without the bottom
panel because the design concept for front entry of building 1 is patched point fixed
structural glazing in which the corners of the bottom and top glass panels are held in
place by rectangular steel brackets applied at both sides of glazing panel and held
together by applying pressure and then seal the perimeter of panels using sealants.
The top glass panels are hung from the building structure like a curtain using steel
hangar brackets fixed at borders that transfer the all-vertical load of below glass panel
to the building structure and also stabilise the glass wall assembly against the wind
loading. Since, there is no vertical load imposed on the bottom panel by the top panel
of glass, the glass assembly will remain stable but the weatherproofing and aesthetics
of the building gets affected.

QUESTION 2: Similarly, if the top panel is damaged, explain if the glass assembly is
structurally adequate without the top panel.
Answer 2: In my opinion, the glass assembly will not fall but loose the structural
stability without the top panel. It must be immediately repaired because the bottom
glass panel is fixed at the bottom but not enough to counter the wind loading by its
own for the longer period. The damaged top panel affects the aesthetics and structural
integrity, since, it stabilises the bottom glass panel against the wind loading. The top
glass panels are hung from the building structure like a curtain using steel hangar
brackets fixed at borders that transfer the all-vertical load of below glass panel to the
building structure and also stabilise the glass wall assembly against the wind loading.

SHASHANK SHEKHAR MISHRA

Student Id: 12174710

31/05/y

ASSIGNMENT 2
FAADE ENGINEERING

49115

QUESTION 3: Calculate the wind loads

Answer:

SHASHANK SHEKHAR MISHRA

Student Id: 12174710

31/05/y

ASSIGNMENT 2
FAADE ENGINEERING

49115

QUESTION 4: Without carrying out any calculations, describe in not more than 1
page how you would design the following components:
a) Top panel b) Bottom panel c) Door panel
Answer:
a) Top panel: When designing a glazed curtain wall, there are many factors to
consider: safety, stability, impact-resistance, durability and cost are the most
important aspects to look at in glazed curtain walls.
Top panels are fixed into the structure using the bolt system. These bolts
transfer the dead load into the structure and act as a cantilever beam to resist
the wind load. The entire weight of the glazing panels is transferred to the
connection bracket through the bolts. The consideration is made to avoid any
direct contact between the glass and metallic parts of the bolt that would result
in formation and spreading of cracks within the glass panel.
b) Bottom Panel: The Corners of bottom panels and top panels are joined
together with the spider arm. Fins are silicone glazed to facing panels and
provide a four-sided support or fully framed support for these facing panels.
Fins are used to prevent glass-facing panels from deflecting, breaking or
falling out through wind load pressures. The bottom panel is fixed from
bottom surface. Now, top and bottom panel are aligned together and
weatherproof sealant are used to at joints of panels.
c) Door Panel: Automatic sliding doors have suspended rollers fitted to a top
patch and slide in a track in the assembly fitted. A floor guide is mounted on
the floor at the sliding end of the opening to keep the door plumb. The
suspended roller must sustain the action of wind loading on the doors.

SHASHANK SHEKHAR MISHRA

Student Id: 12174710

31/05/y