Evaluation of Strategies to Improve the Thermal Performance of Steel Frames in Curtain Wall Systems

Abstract

Abstract:Recently, metal curtain wall systems have been widely used in high-rise buildings due to many advantages, including being lightweight, rapid construction, and aesthetic features. Since the metal frame may lead to lower energy performance, thermal discomfort, and condensation risk due to the high thermal conductivity, its thermal performance can be important for the improvement of the overall thermal performance of the curtain wall system, as well as the energy efficiency of the building envelope. This study aims to evaluate variety of design strategies to improve the thermal performance of steel curtain wall frames. Five base cases and three further steps were selected for two different head profile shapes based on a state-of-the art technology review, and their thermal transmittances were calculated through simulations according to the ISO 12631 standard which is an international standard for calculating thermal transmittance of curtain wall system. Measured results that were obtained from hot-box tests were compared with the calculated results to validate the simulation method of this study. The shape of the head profile did not strongly influence the overall thermal transmittance, and the choice of strategies for the rabbet space was more important. More effective strategies could be decided according to the steps for variation development. This result can serve as a guideline for the design of high-performance curtain wall frames.

Comparison of Computer Simulation and Mock-up Laboratory Testing of the Thermal Performance of Unitized Curtain Wall: A Case Study

“…Table 4. Simulated vs Tested CRF In another study, Oh, Yoo & Kim (2016) considered how different design strategies could improve the thermal performance of CWs. Three test specimens with a setup dimension of 1990 mm x 1900 mm were tested in an accredited Korean laboratory under a controlled environment at temperatures of 20 °C and 0 °C for the interior and exterior condition, respectively.…”

Effect of Cold and Hot Compounds Forming on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties in the Deformation Zone of Sharp-Edged High-Strength Steel Sections

“…Steel sections reign supreme when supporting considerable glass lengths, slender structures, and fire protection requirements [22,23]. Because of their light weight, permeability, and safety, they are preferred for their ability to meet these needs [24]. Typically, steel roll-formed sections are easy to produce and install and use less steel [22], but it may not be possible to achieve a shape with sharp outer rounded corners.…”

A New Metre for Cheap, Quick, Reliable and Simple Thermal Transmittance (U-Value) Measurements in Buildings

“…They provide the retrofitting measures for the variables of interest both before (to assess the retrofitting to be carried out) and after (to evaluate the retrofitting results and obtain the reliability of improvement). In general, measurements of temperature [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ] and relative moisture [ 10 , 11 ] both indoor and outdoor, solar radiation [ 12 , 13 ], envelope thermal transmittance ( U-Value ) [ 14 , 15 ], power consumption by electrical circuits [ 16 ], etc., are required.…”