BUILDING SKIN

INFILL PANEL AND STRUCTURAL GLAZING

ASSINGNMENT - 2

SEM 5

PRAJAKTA KHADSE 29
 INTRODUCTION
CURTAIN WALL – INFILL PANEL

• Infill panels, also known as infill walls, are non-load-bearing panels

that are fixed or constructed within the enclosing members of the
structural frame or between projections of the frame, such as floor and
roof slabs, which are exposed.
• Infill panels serve the essential function of supporting the structure’s
cladding system and the cladding provides separation of the internal
and external environments.
• This system of walling to framed structures, which is supported at each
floor level and restrained by the frame, can with advantage utilize the
maximum area of glass in the form of a lightweight frame of wood or
metal that can be pre-fabricated.
• Infill panel walls are not considered to be load bearing, although they
are required to resist wind loads applied to the façade, as well as
supporting their own weight. Other functional requirements for infill
panel walls include

• They are self-supporting between structural

framing members.
• They provide weather-resistance.
• They provide thermal and sound insulation.
• The provide fire resistance.
• They provide sufficient openings for natural
ventilation and glazing.
• They can accommodate differential
movements between themselves and the
frame.
 TYPES OF INFILL PANELS
Traditionally, infill panel walls used brick/masonry or timber; however, these are more time consuming than modern
alternatives and have been largely replaced by lightweight steel C-sections that span between floors and around openings

Brick infill panels CONCRETE infill panels

Mechanical infill connector

These can be constructed from clay These are usually large precast concrete panels that are the height of one
bricks or concrete blocks, in a solid or storey and of a width dictated by the spacing of the frame. They can be
cavity form. The same principles of either top-hung or bottom- supported. Panels that are integral may be clad in
solid and cavity wall construction other materials, most typically stone. The maximum panel size is generally
apply to infill panel walls. They can be restricted by the transport considerations and crane lifting capacity
tied to columns using wall ties cast at When properly designed, masonry infills provide an additional strong,
300 mm centers, or located in anchor ductile system for resisting lateral loads, in-plane and out-of-plane.
slots.
TIMBER INFILL PANELS Lightweight steel infill panels

Multi-storey framed construction

often uses lightweight steel for
infill panel walls that support the
external cladding. The panels are
fixed between the structural
horizontal and vertical members
of the frame, and can
incorporate architectural features
such as large windows, parapets,
and so on. The panels are
Timber sections are cut to length – lightweight, and are quick and
typically 90 and 140 mm depth to span 2.4 easy to install
- 3.6 m between floors – and placed at The size and thickness of the steel sections can be varied according to the
400 or 600 mm spacing. The disadvantage facade wall height and wind-loads.
of using timber in place of steel is that it
has less strength and cannot be used in tall The benefits of light steel infill walls are:
sections or walls with large openings for
• The construction process is ‘dry’, so that shrinkage and other drying-out
doors or windows
problems are eliminated.
The benefits of timber infill walls are: • Design flexibility: tall walls up to 5 m can be readily achieved.
• Large windows, parapets and other architectural features can be
• it has good thermal and acoustic
incorporated within light steel infill walls.
insulation properties, and can passively
• Excellent fire resistance: periods of up to 120 minutes can be achieved
regulate humidity in a built
using multiple layers of fire resistant plasterboard.
environment.
• Light steel walls can achieve excellent acoustic insulation: over 60 dB
• it has low compressive strength and
when using double layers of plasterboard and insulating quilt between the
modulus of elasticity and so cannot be
vertical C sections.
used as a direct load bearing material.
• A high level of thermal insulation is provided by a variety of insulation
• It is often used as an infill material in
boards that attach externally to the vertical studs to create a ‘warm frame’.
timber stud walls
Functional requirement

• The framing with its panels or sheet Covering

should have adequate strength & stability in itself
to be supporting within faming members.
• Infill panels resist the wind pressure & suction
acting on them
• There should be sufficient support & restraint
fixings between on them. the frame & the
surrounding structural members.
• The framing & its panels along with sheet
covering must adequately resist the penetration of
water to the inside face by a system of drained
sealed joints
• The -joints between the framing & the structure STRUCTURAL STEEL SYSTEM
should be filled & Weather sealed with mastic to
accommodate structural, thermal movements and
moisture
• To enhance the thermal resistance of the light
weight framing & covering materials double
glazing or solar control glass should the used with
double skin insulated panels, insulation between
framing members.
• The lightweight Sections steel components used
in infill walks consist of c-sections 75 to 150 mm
depth that are cold roll formed from galvanized
steel strip of 1.2 to 3.2 mm thickness. The
provides excellent durability. -formed from
galvanizing
SANDWICH INFILL PANELS
• A particular material does not possess all the properties required for a
suitable infill panel
• Here, a combination of material are used formed in a sandwich or
combination panel.
• A wide verity of combination of material like timber ,steel , aluminum
and plastic are used.
• A sandwich panel is structure made of the layers a low –density core
and a thin skin layer bonded to each side.
• It consist of two layers of a rigid material bonded to either sides of a
light weight core. The light weight core keeps the two faces in position,
resist sheers forces and provides insulation
• The outer faces of sandwich panel are commonly made of metals such
as hot-dip galvanized steel dip and zinc .Other material like precast
concrete, cement board, grp, plywood, magnesium oxide boards ,etc. are
used as well

Insulated render attached to light steel infill Metallic rain-screen cladding attached to light
walls steel infill walls
Pros of sandwich panel
• Fast installation and ease of handling
• Design flexibility with choice of color finishes
• Panels can be installed horizontally or vertically
• Crane assembly therefore no scaffolding required
• Outstanding non combustible and acoustic performance
• Ease of installation
• Long life and ease of maintenance
• Easy repair and replacement in case of damage
cons of sandwich panel
• Sandwich panels have a high likelihood of
cosmetic damage, they can not withstand
significant additional loads. SANDWICH PANEL SYSTEM
• Panels of polystyrene foam and fire risk,
combined with osb.
• Their disadvantage is the frequent freezing of the
joints.
SANDWICH PANEL JOINERY DETAILS -

HEAD DETAIL

LATERAL JOINT DETAIL SILL DETAIL

TYPES OF SANDWICH PANEL
ROCKWOOL PANELS
• Rockwood insulation is a light weight high density material, made with
non-directional stone wool fibers delivering expectational compression
and tensile strength.
• The rock used is heated to an incredibly high temperature and then spun
into find wood and used as insulation material.
• The excellent performance of stone wool insulation are commonly
adopted for fire-resistance and noise reduction in buildings .
• These panels have a metal surface with galvanized aluminum coating
and paint coating .
• The panel is highly fire resistance and maintains its mechanical
structure
Pros of rockwool panel cons of rockwool panel
• Rockwool stone wool fibres can withstand more than • That same quality that makes it durable also makes it an
1000°C without melting – this means it can slow the environmental nuisance.
spread of fire in a property where it to catch fire. • It is also a health hazard. Rockwool, like asbestos is made
• Rockwool has fantastic thermal insulating properties.
from rocks and minerals the fibers and dust thereof have
120mm of our dual density slabs when attached to the proven to be extremely hazardous
exterior of a property will take the u-value down to 0.3 • Rockwool has a high pH and nutrient solutions must be
which means the building will then conform to building adjusted to accommodate for that factor. It is also
regulations susceptible to pH shifts which creates the need to
• Rockwool stone wool has great acoustic insulating
continuously monitor the ph Levels of your system.
properties, so it can really can help with sound reduction • Although rockwool has a high water retention capacity it
if installed on a busy road for example. has a restricted root environment and a low buffering
• The final advantage is that Rockwool is breathable,
capacity for water and nutrients. The water flow to plant
therefore it allows moisture to travel across the wall roots may be hindered, even when the water content is
which can help dissipate damp (from in the house). apparently high
Aluminium composite panel Why Choose ACP Sheet?
• It’s lightweight
• It’s delightfully flexible
• It’s easy to work with
• It’s easy to install
• It can be installed real fast
• It’s durable & easy to maintain
• It’s cost-effective

• Aluminum Composite Panel or ACP sheet are new-age material

that’s used for building front elevation (facades), interiors,
signage, modular kitchen and many more. It is available in a wide
range of colors and textures like wood, stone, sand, 3D etc.
• And it can be bent, folded and turned into shapes that can’t be
achieved by any other material.
Advantages of Aluminium COMPOSITE Panels Disadvantages of Aluminum Composite Panels

• Aluminum composite panels are less expensive as compared to

other cladding materials, which makes it a popular choice for • Aluminum composite panels must be waterproofed
cladding. properly; otherwise, water during rains may penetrate
• It is available in a variety of colors and designs. through them causing ruining of the interior paint.
• As, it is light in weight, it can be easily installed, without much • They are susceptible to dents and deformations during
difficulty. storms or hurricanes.
• Resistance against earthquake is one its major advantage as • They have less resistance towards UV rays and hence the
compared to other heavy cladding materials. color may fade away over a certain period of time, and they
• Its good thermal insulation property helps in saving energy by may loose its initial shine.
insulating the interiors from outside temperature. Applications of ACP Sheet:
• Aluminum composite panels are termite resistant unlike wood
cladding • Façade or Cladding
• After its life is over, the aluminum can be recycled again, hence • Partitions
making it sustainable and green material. • Interiors
 GLASS REINFORCED POLESTER CLADDING
• GRP is a composite of a durable ,thermosetting polyster
resin, reinforced with glass fibre,
• That is used as a thin laminate with high strength ,low
density, good corrasion and weather resistance but has
low modulus of electricity.
• Glass fibre is a highly flexible material with high heat
resistance.
PROS OF GRP
• Excellent strength to weight ratio
• Resistant to corrosion
MORDEN COMPOSITE GRP
• Water resistant
• Glass fiber are produced from raw materials such as • Ideal for external shell structures
sand ,lime stone ,alumina ,kaslin, colemits ground • Wide range of colors as pigments can be added
finally . to the resin
• It is mixed exactly to fit together. • Can be repaired easily
• The main merge is to properly wet the glass fiber with
together. The resin is polymerized by the chemical CONS OF GRP
reaction and becomes a hard ,non-perishable material • Expensive material
• Grp panels are produced in a variety of thickness and are • Specialized manufacturing process required
impact resistant .They are resistant to uv rays. • High-quality mould needed.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GRP SHEETS

 Fiberglass Reinforced Panels (FRP)
• Commonly called fiberglass reinforced plywood, fiberglass reinforced plastic, FRP panels,
or simply FRP. Fiberglass composites have successfully been used in the transportation,
construction, marine, military, and building industries
• fiberglass panels are available in sizes up to 10 feet high by 58 feet long.
• Your choice of a variety of core materials are reinforced on each side by a fiberglass
woven roving laminate which is then fused under heat and pressure to form a smooth, high
gloss structural panel.
• The FRP panel interior is coated with a white polyester resin, interior continuous film, or
gel coat finish, which provides a seamless surface that resists impact and abrasions from
forklifts, pallets and shifting cargo
APPLICATION OF FRP

FRP wall panels are ideal for kitchens, restrooms, dining rooms, offices, classrooms, hospital rooms, hallways, cooling
towers, recreational areas, and other secondary spaces. One of the most important applications of FRP panels is that they can
be installed over new and existing drywall or used to repair damaged surfaces.

PROS OF FRP CONS OF FRP

• Strong scratch-resistant material • Low elastic modulus.
• Can be cleaned easily using regular detergents, high- • Therefore, it is not rigid enough and easy to be deformed in
pressure washers, or even steam the structural application.
• Lightweight, flexible panel that is easy to install • Poor long-term temperature resistance.
• Can be installed with glue or fasteners, or both • FRP cannot be used under high temperature for a long time,
• Maximum sanitation protection the strength of polyester FRP decreases
• Improved chemical resistance • The strength of epoxy FRP decreases above 60℃
• Installs over any many materials using basic and • The phenomenon of aging is a common defect of plastics as
techniques well as FRP.
• High impact resistance from shattering and scratches • Its performance will be reduced because of ultraviolet, wind
• Can save money over other building materials yarn rain and snow, chemical media, mechanical stress and
• Helps prevent the growth of mold and will not rust or other factors
corrode
 STRUCTURAL GLAZING
• Structural glazing systems, in their simplest form, are types of
curtain wall systems consisting of glass that is bonded or
anchored back to a structure without the use of continuously
gasketed aluminum pressure plates or caps.
• Structural Glazing systems consist of glass with partial or full frame
and are structurally
• glazed/adhered to the outside surface resulting in a flush external
finish.
• Structural Glazing systems are a brilliant and cost effective
alternative for architectural glass designs.

BENEFITS OF STRUCTURAL GLAZING GLASS COMPONENTS USED IN STRUCTURAL GLAZING

Structural glazing can be used to create all-

glass façades. Due to its design, structural The glasses used are either single or double glazing in which at least
glazing also provides: one edge remains visible and exposed to radiation. For this reason, the
seal must be made of silicone.
• a good level of waterproofing A) Mullions (vertical member) - mullions transfer the dead lead of
• excellent sound insulation the curtain wall
• an easy-to-clean surface B) Transoms(horizontal member)- transform are aluminium
• protection for the load-bearing structure sections provide in between the mullion horizontal.
C) Silicon sealants- these prevent the passage of moisture, air, duct
Principle of a Structural Glazing Facade
and heat through all the joints
D) Setting blocks - setting blocks are used to provide support in
Glazing (single panes or insulating glazing) will relation to the size of glass, glazing techniques and condition of
generally be factory- bonded on a metal frame. use.
The glass and frame unit is then transported to E) Location blocks –these are placed at the edges of the glass to
the site and fixed to the load-bearing structure. prevent the movement of glass within the frame.
DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION

STARTER DETAIL HORIZONTAL DETAIL VERTICAL DETAIL

CORNER DETAIL STACK DETAIL

JAMB DETAIL
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 glass etc., which are used
to tie the glass to the structure.

Frame less Double glazed glass wall

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.
DOUBLE GLAZING PROS OF STRUCTURAL GLAZING

1. Double glazing is where two layers of glass are used • Use of glass in construction work adds beauty to the
traditional single layer. Double glazing can be used to building.
reduced the rate of heat loss through window of glazed door • Its use fulfills the architectural view for the external
it cab be employed to reduced the sound transmission decoration and beauty.
through window. • Using glass in interior of the building saves the
2. Thermal insulation is achieved by having a small air or space inside the building.
argon gas filled space within 6 to 20mm between two layers • Glass cladding in building fulfills the functional
of glass. The sealed double glazing unit provides good sound requirement of lighting heat retention and energy
insulation. saving.
3. All opening rashes in a double glazing system should be • The glass is an excellent material for thermal
fitted with adequate weather seals to reduce the rate of heat insulation, waterproofing, and energy conservation.
loss through the opening clearance gap. • The glass is a bad conductor of heat, hence it saves
energy in air conducting of the building.
• Glass cladding use appears a sense of openness and
harmonious.
• Toughened glass can have a good interior design
with the use of glass in the transparent staircase,
colored shelves, ceiling etc

CONS OF STRUCTURAL GLAZING

• It is very costly and may increase the budgeted cost

of construction work.
• Use of glass also enhances the cost of security.
• Its use in hilly are and desert may cause more
maintenance cost.
• It is also unsafe for earthquake proven
Glasses used in construction COLORED GLASS:
CLEAR GLASS: Glass is colored by adding metal oxides or metal
• Clear Glass or Float Glass has a powders to molten glass. Depending on the metal, the
slight green tint to the body of the glass takes on a particular color. For example, the
glass and a very dark green edge “cobalt blue” glass –that color comes from adding
detail while Extra Clear Glass or cobalt.
Sapphire has very little tint to the Copper oxides also make glass blue to bluish green.
body of the glass. Sulphur and cadmium make yellow. Iron oxides
• appearing almost completely transparent, the glass edge has a very produce greens and browns. Tin produces white.
slight crystal blue/green tint. Chrome produces emerald greens.
• Standard Clear Glass is far from being clear. Clear Glass has a
green hue to it, and the thicker the glass, greener is the glass.
SOLAR CONTROL GLASS:
REFLECTIVE GLASS:
• Reflective glass is essentially ordinary • Most buildings that have more recently been
float glass with a metallic coating that constructed with the large areas of glass exposed
cuts off solar heat. to solar radiation, use one of the solar control
• This special metallic coating also glasses to reduce solar heat gain.
provides a one-way mirror effect, • The heat absorptive glasses are produced with a
preventing visibility from the outside colour tint throughout the thickness of the glass or
and thus preserving privacy. a colour tint to one surface.
• The effect of the colour tint of green, grey or bronze is to absorb
• Reflective glass is used primarily for structural façade glazing.
some solar radiation. .
LAMINATED GLASS Wired Glass
• Laminated glass is a safety and security
glass that is made by sandwiching a
laminated Obtainable as a clear polished wired glass or
sheet between two pieces of glass. The as a rough cast wired glass with a nominal
laminated sheet is usually polyvinyl thickness of 7 mm.
butyl (PVB) sheet. • Generally used where a degree of fire
• The PVB sheet in the middle of the resistance is required.
glass helps in sticking the glass pieces • Georgian wired glass has a 12 mm
to it when the glass is broken
square mesh whereas the hexagonally
Laminated glass remains intact when broken, protecting people from wired glass has a 20 mm mesh.
injury. Laminated glass is very safe in overhead glazing