The Role of the structural engineer in the

design of a facade

Mike Otlet
Head of Structural Engineering
Atkins

5th April 2006

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The role of the structural engineer in

the design of the façade varies from
project to project depending on the
span and complexity of the proposed
system
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Waterloo International Terminal
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Paddington Station, London

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What ever the size of the project the same five

issues must be considered

„ Imposed loads- laterally and

vertically
„ Support structure movements
„ Host structure movements
„ Temperature effects
„ Tolerances
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The engineer must decide the

support points and load paths for the
cladding and allow for these loads and
the effects of these loads on the main
(host) structure
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Vertical loads and their effects

„ Constructions effects

„ Live load deflections

„ Moving loads
Density kN/m3

Glass 25-27
Aluminium 27
Steel 77
Stainless steel 77
Silicone 12
Neoprene 10
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decrease in
joint width
increase in joint
width
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Load path
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Make sure that in the

event of a failure of
one glass panel no
other panels will
break- and where
possible the broken
glass is contained
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Wind loads and their effects

„ Wind tunnel testing

„ Glass deflections

„ Structure deflections

„ Host structure movements

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Glass Panel deflection

MAX
DISP:
L/100
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Permissible glass panel

deflections
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Through bolt fixing

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FEA of glass panel deflection

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Glass Fin
support beams
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Steel Fin
support beams
L/360 typical
deflection limit
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Trusses
L/360 typical
deflection limit

Bridgwater Hall
Manchester
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Temperature effects

Typical UK Host structure temperatures oC

Ambient 15

Maximum 32

Minimum -1
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Typical UK Air temperature oC

Ambient construction 15

Outside maximum 30
Outside minimum -20

Inside maximum 30
Inside minimum 0
Coefficient of thermal expansion /k

Glass 7.7-8.8 E-6

Aluminium 27 E-6
steel 12 E-6
Stainless steel 16 E-6
Silicone ~100 E-6
neoprene ~100 E-6
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Host structure movements:

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Sway
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DEFRA Office
Refurbishment London
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Sage HQ,
Newcastle
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Korean World Trade

Centre, Seoul
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Korean World Trade

Centre, Seoul
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Korean World Trade

Centre, Seoul
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17.5 mm
expansion
Thermal movement

12.0 mm
contraction

12.0 mm
contraction

17.5 mm
expansion
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+5.0mm Host structure movement

–25.0mm
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Tension balanced between

catenary cable and rod
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Decreased tension in Increased tension in

catenery cable – increased catenery cable – decrease
tension in back rod in front rod

Wind
loading
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SBS TV Headquarters,
Seoul
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SBS TV Headquarters,
Seoul
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+/- 25mm
thermal
movement
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
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mullion

Rocker arm

+/- 25mm
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4
4

4
4

4
Vertical
Connections 4
movement
to host
structure
4
4

4
4

4
4
 3 3
3 3
3 3
3 3
XZ 3 3
3 3
3 3
Y 3 3
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
44
44
5 5
5 5
5
connection
5 5
5
connection
Fixed truss Sliding truss
44
44
5 5
5 5
5 5
5 5
44
44
6
8
44
6
44
77
7
7 7
7 7
7 7
7 7
7
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pin pin

Thermal
movement

Connections
to host
structure
“wishbone”
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pin pin

Seismic
and wind
movements

Connections
to host
structure
“wishbone”
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44

64
4
44

44
44 6

5
5
5
5
5
5
44 5
5
44
5
5
5
5
5
5
44 5
5

3 5
3 5
3 5
3 5
3 5
3 5
3 5
3 5

Y
3
X 3
Z 3
3
3
3
3
3
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And to conclude;
What ever the size of the project the five key issues must
be considered

Determine the imposed loads- laterally and vertically

Calculate the support structure movements

Determine the host structure movements and the effects on
the cladding
Calculate the temperature effects

Allow for the appropriate tolerances

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Detail the connections and junctions carefully to

cope with the movements and deflections
calculated, in a manner that enhances the design
and does not detract from it.

Test unusual designs and don’t be afraid to make

mock-ups

Safe use of overhead glass must be a priority

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