THE COLLEGE OF ESTATE MANAGEMENT POSTAL COURSES Cladding to Frames Contents «Introduction Learning objectives « _ Basic criteria for selection of a cladding material « Basic criteria for the design of cladding Cladding materials Masonry Precast concrete Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) Glass reinforced cement (GRC) Metal panels Profiled sheets Glazed screens and curtain walling Timber boarding Tile hanging and slate hanging * — Rainscreen cladding «© Summary © Appendix 8.93 © The College of Estate Management 1996 8010THE COLLEGE OF ESTATE MANAGEMENT POSTAL COURSES: Cladding to Frames Introduction This paper describes the various types of cladding which are used to form vertical enclosures to structural frames, Such cladding is usually described as non-loadbearing because, although itresists localised forces such as wind loads, it may not contribute to the overall strength of the building, Materials used may be traditional or modern, Learning objectives On completion of this paper you should be able to: 1 Discuss the criteria to be used in the selection of cladding materials and systems for framed buildings. 2 Understand the properties of the materials used for cladding. 3. Make sketches of typical cladding details. 4 Have a fundamental understanding of the common defects which affect cladding, 5. Describe the principles of rainscreen cladding. 3 80104 8010THE COLLEGE OF ESTATE, MANAGEMENT POSTAL COURSES Cladding to Frames Basic criteria for selection of cladding material In the conventional building procurement process, cladding materials are selected at an early stage in the development of the design, to suit the architectural concept. The normal criteria are: © Appearance. The architect and the client may wish the building to create a particular visual impression, to complement its function, * Cost. A limited budget will restrict the choice of materials or systems. © Weight. ‘Heavy’ cladding systems (generally masonry and precast concrete) may influence the cost of the frame. Large panels may be impractical on congested sites, or where there is no cranage. Robustness. Certain materials are vulnerable to impact or vandalism. Some designs employ lightweight cladding at high level, with plinth walls of brickwork or concrete to ‘cope with ill-treatment at ground level. © Durability. When cheap cladding system is proposed, any savings in initial construction costs must be balanced against the anticipated life-span and the likely maintenance requirements. 5 8010Cladding to Frames Basic criteria for the design of cladding The final design must take account of the following physical and statutory criteria © Loads. The cladding does not carry the weight of the building but individual bays of cladding must carry their own weights. They must also resist wind loads and impacts (both external and internal). All these forces must be transmitted to the structural frame, via suitable connections. Relationship between cladding and frame The connections must accommodate any dimensional ‘lack of fit’ between frame and cladding. This is particularly important when a precisely manufactured cladding system is secured to a reinforced concrete frame, as the latter will be constructed to a lower standard of accuracy. The design must also allow for movements in the frame (usually deflections, but also creep and long-term shrinkage of concrete) and in the cladding (usually induced by changes in temperature or moisture content). © Weatherproofing. The cladding is expected to exclude rainwater and to restrict draughts. Waterproofing can be achieved in a variety of ways and cladding systems can generally be divided into three groups: — Face-sealed. The material is largely impermeable and the joints are intended to be ‘waterproof. Overlapping. The material is largely impermeable and the sheets or panels overlap one another, so that water cannot penetrate. — Internally drained. Some water penetrates the cladding material or the joints, but is controlled within the cladding, and channelled back to the exterior, © Thermal and acoustic insulation. ‘The design of all heated buildings must include thermal insulation. In some systems, this can be an integral part of the cladding construction; alternatively, it may be incorporated in a separate inner lining or sandwiched between inner and outer layers. The weatherproofing features, the insulation and the lining in combination must also prevent or control condensation. This may necessitate vapour barriers and/or ventilation. Specific levels of sound insulation may be required for buildings in noisy environments, suchas near toairports. ‘Heavy’ cladding systems possess inherently good noise attenuation, but ‘lightweight’ systems can have their sound performance improved by internal linings. © Fire resistance. Specific periods of fire resistance are required for walls which are near boundaries and escape routes. Fire barriers must also be incorporated within any voids, where cladding passes compartment walls and floors, and at certain other locations. For many cladding systems, some or all of the design criteria can only be achieved by the outer cladding acting in conjunction with internal linings or back-up walls. 6 8010Cladding 10 Frames ‘The designers should also take account of material availability, manufacturing lead times and speed of installation. If client wishes a building to be constructed in a short period, the programme will be partly dictated by the cladding system which is chosen. With some systems, the building becomes substantially weatherproof on completion of an inner lining or back-up wall, thus permitting the intemal trades to work concurrently with the installation of the outer cladding. Cladding materials 1 Masonry Masonry is one of the most common forms of cladding. In traditional buildings, it was employed in loadbearing walls and it might be concluded that its use for non-loadbearing elements would be straightforward. However, very careful consideration mustbe given o differential movements, and to weatherproofing details, both these matters being complicated by the presence of a structural frame. In recent years, a series of amendments to the Building Regulations has required increases in thermal insulation values. These changes have introduced new technical problems, affecting weather-resistance and condensation, There has also been a trend towards the use of stiffening steelwork and mechanical anchorages, to withstand wind loads. Masonry units are manufactured from a wide range of materials: © Clay bricks © Calcium silicate bricks * Concrete bricks * Concrete blocks ‘* Clay blocks (not commonly used in the UK) © Natural stone © Reconstituted stone (concrete blocks made from natural stone) * Cast stone (precast concrete elements, often reinforced, and finished to resemble natural stone). The cheaper varieties of bricks and blocks are usually restricted to internal walls, or are concealed behind render and other finishes. In non-loadbearing cladding, masonry is invariably used as the outer leaf of a cavity wall. The inner leaf may be constructed of cheap bricks or concrete blocks or, alternatively, may be of lightweight construction, such as lining boards on metal studs, 7 8010Cladding 10 Frames Mortar may be natural-coloured or pigmented and the mix specification must be appropriate to the degree of exposure. Damp proof courses are formed from flexible, lead-cored or polymer materials. However, several manufacturers sell rigid, pre-formed cavity tray units which are intended to function well without relying on a high standard of workmanship. Masonry is perceived as a strong, durable cladding and the more expensive material options are employed in ‘high class’ work. It is widely used for low or medium-rise buildings. Thin panels of natural stone have been used to clad both low and high-rise buildings, but such units are individually anchored by cramps and brackets, rather than being mortar-bedded in the traditional manner. FIGURE 1 Brick cladding to concrete Detail at opening Corbelled cladding Courtesy: Frimeda 8 8010Cladding 10 Frames FIGURE 2 Sliding brick anchors Courtesy: ANCONCladding 19 Frames FIGURE 3 Cast-in anchorage channel and T-head bolts ) Sliding bott Courtesy: Frimeda Elevation Restraint ofl a Shelf ong 1. Sealant on 2 Sealant on Backing fom bond:breaker 4. Sealed lap joint Sealant jointing NEN NNN = el Adhesion failure Cohesion faiture Fatigue failure Possible sealant failures Insuttciont compression Betormation of Possible gasket failures 52 8010