18ARC 6.

2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI SEMESTER VI

CURTAIN WALLS/STRUCTURAL GLAZING
• A curtain wall system is an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are
non-structural, utilized to keep the weather out and the occupants in.

• Since the curtain wall is non-structural, it can be made of lightweight materials,

thereby reducing construction costs.

• The curtain wall facade does not carry any structural load from the building other than
its own dead load weight.

• The wall transfers lateral wind loads that are incident upon it to the main building
structure through connections at floors or columns of the building.

• A curtain wall is designed to resist air and water infiltration, absorb sway induced by
wind and seismic forces acting on the building, withstand wind loads, and support its
own dead load weight forces.

• Curtain wall systems are typically designed with extruded aluminum framing
members, although the first curtain walls were made with steel frames.

• The aluminum frame is typically infilled with glass, which provides an architecturally
pleasing building, as well as benefits such as daylighting.

18ARC 6.2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI SEMESTER VI

TYPES OF STRUCTURAL GLAZING
• Four Sided Framed Glazing: In four sided framed
glazing a frame is fabricated on all four sides of the glass to
support it. During installation the horizontal and vertical
support members are framed on the building. Glass is used as
a transparent infill panel.

• Two Sided Framed Glazing: In a two sided framed

glazing the support for glass is only on two sides. It is either
fabricated in the horizontal or in the vertical direction. The
glass is then fixed in the mullions.

• Frameless Glazing: The frameless glazing imparts a

seamless look to the glass. The glass is fit together with
different kinds of hardware like spider fitting etc., which are
used to tie the glass to the structure.

• Glass Fin Glazing: Glass fins are vertical glass sheets

used to strengthen the glass facade. The glass sheet is
placed in a perpendicular direction to the building facade.
It is bonded to the building with special hardware and
silicon sealants. The Sealants that are used in structural
glazing have to be strong, durable and be resistant to ultra
violet radiation. They should also be neutral to changing
weather conditions since glass may get over-heated in
summer and there might be heat loss in winters.

18ARC 6.2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI SEMESTER VI

MEMBERS OF STRUCTURAL GLAZING
• Mullions are vertical members of the
frame which span from floor to floor and
take care of deflection under wind
pressure.
• Transom are the horizontal members
which span from mullion to mullion and
take the dead weight of the glass while
transferring it to the mullion.
• Vision area is the area above the floor
level up to false ceiling. This area is
responsible for heat gain and light
transmission in the building.
• Spandrel area is the area above the false
ceiling and below the next floor level. It
is the non vision area and normally there
is no ventillation in this area.
• Vent area is the openable panes and part
of the vision area specially provided for
ventilation. It can be top hung, side hung
etc.
• Shadow box covers the spandrel area
and offers better aesthetic view in terms
of uniformity of façade. It offers thermal
insulation to the building.

18ARC 6.2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI SEMESTER VI

MEMBERS OF STRUCTURAL GLAZING

18ARC 6.2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI SEMESTER VI

• Stick System: In the stick •
system, mullions (sticks)
are fabricated in the shop
and installed and glazed in
the field. Sticks are placed
between floors vertically to
support individual
components, such as
horizontal mullions,
glazing, and spandrels.
Loads are transferred
through connections at
floors or columns.
18ARC 6.2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI
Unit Panel System: For
large or labor-intensive
projects, unit panel systems
may be a cost-effective
alternative to the stick
system. In the unit panel
system, panels are
fabricated and assembled
at the shop, and may be
glazed there as well. The
panels are then taken to
the field, where they are
attached to a building
structure.
• Unit and Mullion
System: Similar to the stick
system, mullions are the
first tube to be installed in
the unit and mullion
system. Spandrel and
glazing, however, are
inserted into the stick
system as a complete unit.
SEMESTER VI
• Column Cover and Spandrel•
System: While column
cover and spandrel systems
are similar to unit and
mullion systems, they differ
in that the building frame is
emphasized with column
covers, which act as sticks.
Point Loaded Structural
Glazing System: In this
system, the vertical framing
member can be comprised
of stick, cable, or another
custom structure behind
the glass. Glass is supported
by a system of four-point
brackets, and joints are
sealed with silicone.
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18ARC 6.2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI SEMESTER VI
18ARC 6.2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI SEMESTER VI
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18ARC 6.2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI SEMESTER VI
18ARC 6.2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI SEMESTER VI
 Thank you
Knowledge is power

18ARC 6.2: MATERIALS AND METHODS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION–VI SEMESTER VI