The Use of Intelligent Facades for Upgrading Energy and Seismic Demands of Existing R/C Structure

Abstract

The installation of exterior facades made of metal elements in buildings is a dual function application: On one hand it alters the facade, through architectural modifications, and on the other it creates the conditions for the improvement of energy efficiency of the building, utilizing the gap that develops between old and new facade. In order to ensure that the suspension and anchoring system can safely receive both static and dynamic loads, which will strain the construction during its life cycle, it is necessary to carry out a set of controls that will ensure exactly this: the static and anti-seismic adequacy of the used suspension and anchoring system. For this reason, a building consisting of frames was chosen, on the perimeter of which masonry was placed and, then, the metal facades were hung on the masonry, through the use of appropriate joints. Through Dynamic Spectral Analysis and Time History Analysis, the adequacy or not of the suspension system was examined, but also the effects that the system had on the modal, strain and deformation sizes of the building. In the end, it was concluded that the attachment of elements to the facade of the building, although it is done for architectural or other purposes, brings about significant changes in its seismic response and, therefore, must be adequately studied.