Thesis Project by:

Hari Om Gupta,

Dept of BEM, SPA, New Delhi

Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Building Envelope:
Building Envelope is the area that separates conditioned space from unconditioned space or the outdoors. Simply put, a building envelope is the separation between the interior and the exterior environments of a building.

April, 2011

Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Building Envelope: Functional requirements:

o Structural: If the wall is not part of the main building structure, support own weight and transfer lateral loads to building frame. o o o Water: Resist water penetration. Air: Resist excessive air infiltration. Condensation: Resist condensation on interior surfaces under service conditions. o Movement: Accommodate differential movement (caused by moisture, seasonal or diurnal temperature variations, and structural movement).
April, 2011

Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Building Envelope: Functional requirements:

o Energy conservation: Resist thermal transfer through radiation, convection and conduction. o o Sound: Attenuate sound transmission. Fire safety: Provide rated resistance to heat and smoke. o Security: Protect occupants from outside threats. o Maintainability: Allow access to components for maintenance, restoration and replacement.
April, 2011

Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Building Envelope: Functional requirements of Building Envelope:

o Constructability: Provide adequate clearances, alignments and sequencing to allow integration of many components during construction workmanship. o Durability: Provide functional and aesthetic characteristics for a long time. o o Aesthetics: Do all of the above and look attractive. Economy: Do all of the above inexpensively. using available components and attainable

April, 2011

Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Typical Components of Envelope: 1. Typical Structure support, infills etc. 2. Demonstrated fuctions and performances.

April, 2011

Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Building Envelope:
Wall Systems

In Situ Systems Pre fab Framed Systems Glazing

Windows Building Envelope Fenestration Systems

Jalis

Doors

Solar Roofs. Terracing Systems

Cool Roofs.

Green Roofs.

April, 2011

Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

The external walls of a structure are vital to the integrity, safety and aesthetics of the building. They are more often than not the load bearing walls and must also face the harsh conditions that the weather can throw at a building. Walling Systems can be further classified into: 1. 2. Pre Fab Framed Systems In Situ Systems

April, 2011

Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Cavity Walls In situ Systems Solid Walls

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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

There are three types of pre- fab walling systems: Thin Stone Wall Systems Panelized Metal Wall Systems Cladding with Plastics and Polymers

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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Stone Veneer Thin Stone Wall Systems

Terracotta Tiles

Lap-Seam Metal Panels Composite Metal Wall Panels Flat Plate Metal Wall Panels Metal-Faced Composite Panels Pre -fab Framed Systems Fibre Glass Reinforced Plastic Boards Glass Reinforced Panels

Panelized Metal Wall Systems

PVC Panels

Plastic Wood Composites Poly Carbonate Boards Cladding with Plastics and Polymers

Acrylic Boards

Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene Building integrated Photo Voltaics

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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Thin stone wall systems used for exterior building envelopes typically consist of stone panels ranging in thickness from 3/4 inches to 2 inches. Most panels are fabricated from granite, while marble; limestone, travertine, and sandstone are also used to a lesser extent. Stone wall systems have been employed to achieve a wide range of architectural styles, aesthetic affects, and appearances. Generally, thin stone wall systems are used in all environments. However certain stone types such as certain marbles may not be appropriate for environments with significant thermal cycling.
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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Thin Stone Wall Systems can be further classified based on the material used into: Terracotta Wall Facades Stone Veneer Facades

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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Panelized Metal Wall Systems: The following types of metal panel systems are available: 1. Lap-Seam Metal Panels: These panels are formed out of metal sheets and are typically ship-lapped with adjacent panels. 2. Composite Metal Wall Panels: These panels feature two sheets of metal adhered to a core material. These composite panels are usually stronger than lap-seam panels and provide built-in insulation to the wall system.
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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

3.

Flat Plate Metal Wall Panels: These panels are typically fabricated out of 1/8 inch thick metal plate. The panels are then bent to the desired profile.

4. Metal-Faced Composite Panels: These panels consist of metal facings adhered to a thin thermoplastic core. The resulting composite panel is then bent to the desired profile. These panels are not as impact resistant.
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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

This is the most recent up and coming technology where plastics/ polymer in the form of sheets or boards are being used as faade materials. The various materials being used are: Fibre Glass Reinforced Plastic Boards PVC Panels Plastic Wood Composites Poly Carbonate Boards Acrylic Boards Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene Building integrated Photo Voltaics

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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Polymer-based resins that consist matrix and glassfibres as the reinforcement - PVC/ FRP/ GRP panels. Advantages of such materials have: High strength and stiffness, Ease of moulding complex shapes, High environmental resistance, Comparatively economic Exhibits good thermal features, e.g. low heat conductivity and a small thermal expansion coefficient. Additionally, this composite is also characterized by many aesthetic merits.

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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Acrylic panels are UV stable, thus provides a vast array of possibilities for interior and exterior applications. Acrylic panels provide numerous benefits that conventional materials can not match. Acrylic panels can be cast up to 24 thick to provide structural integrity and spanning capabilities. Rods, tubes and other shapes can also be used as either structural members or as decorative elements in exterior and interior environments. Acrylic is also a preferred choice due to the light transmitting properties of the material.

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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Wood plastic composite is an increasingly popular choise for finishing the facades of commercial and domestic buildings. Also known as weather boarding, timber effect cladding, it is an attractive and economical way to finish exteriors. It is manufactured by an extrusion process using a mix of recycled plastics and hardwood. This material combines the traditional appearance of timber with durability of engineered composite.
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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Polycarbonate plastic is moldable, durable, lightweight, flame resistant, shatterproof, and energy efficient. A polycarbonate panel is extremely weather resistant, will not yellow in harsh sun, and recyclable. Polycarbonate sheets can be as clear, translucent, or completely opaque, depending on the specific use. The panels can be flat or corrugated, rigid or flexible, thick or thin. Polycarbonate makes an excellent substitute for glass or acrylic, and there are a multitude of uses for panels made of polycarbonates.
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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

ETFE foil roofs consist of pneumatic cushions comprising of between 2 and 5 layers of a modified copolymer Ethylene Tetra Flouro Ethylene. The ETFE Foil is extruded into thin films and supported in an aluminum perimeter extrusion which is supported on the building frame. The Cushions are inflated by a small inflation unit to approx. 220 Pa which gives the foil a structural stability and gives the roof high insulation properties.
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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

BIPVs are photovoltaic materials that are used to replace conventional building materials in parts of the building envelope such as the roof, skylights, or facades. 1. Increasingly being incorporated into the construction of new buildings as a principal or ancillary source of electrical power. 2. Existing buildings may be retrofitted with BIPV modules as well. 3. The advantage of integrated photo-voltaic is that the initial cost can be offset by reducing the amount spent on building materials and labour that would normally be used to construct the part of the building that the BIPV modules replace.
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Study of New Materials & Techniques for Building Envelope

Precast Concrete is a construction product produced by casting concrete in a reusable mould or "form" which is then cured in a controlled environment, transported to the construction site and lifted into place. Installation : 1)Horizontally - Panels supported by stanchions & installed horizontally across the bay width, placed either on the face or between the webs of the stanchions. 2)Vertically - A vertical cantilever configuration with a portion of the precast concrete panel below finished floor level, tied into the foundation concrete with reinforcing bars. No above ground steel support is required.
April, 2011