Frame support
Frame-supported glass curtain walls are glass curtain walls in which the glass panels are supported by metal frames around the edges. They mainly include:
Exposed frame glass curtain wall
The exposed frame glass curtain wall is a type of glass curtain wall in which the metal frame components are exposed on the outer surface. It uses aluminum alloy profiles with special cross-sections as the frame, and the glass panels are fully embedded in the grooves of the profiles. Its characteristic lies in that the aluminum alloy profiles themselves have the dual functions of a framework structure and fixing the glass.
The exposed frame glass curtain wall is the most traditional form, the most widely used and reliable in working performance. Compared with hidden-framed glass curtain walls, it is more likely to meet the requirements of construction technology levels.
Hidden-framed glass curtain wall
The metal frame of the hidden-frame glass curtain wall is concealed at the back of the glass and cannot be seen from the outside. Hidden-framed glass curtain walls can be further classified into two types: fully hidden-framed glass curtain walls and semi-hidden-framed glass curtain walls. Semi-hidden-framed glass curtain walls can be either horizontally visible and vertically hidden, or vertically visible and horizontally hidden. The structural feature of the hidden-frame glass curtain wall is that the glass is on the outside of the aluminum frame, and the glass is bonded to the aluminum frame with silicone structural sealant. The load of the curtain wall is mainly borne by the sealant.
All-glass curtain wall
All-glass curtain walls are glass curtain walls composed of glass ribs and glass panels.
The thickness of the glass on the all-glass curtain wall panel should not be less than 10mm. The thickness of a single laminated glass sheet should not be less than 8mm. The thickness of the rib section of the glass curtain wall shall not be less than 12mm, and the height of the section shall not be less than 100mm.
When the glass curtain wall exceeds 4m (with a glass thickness of 10 or 12mm), 5m (with a glass thickness of 15mm), or 6m (with a glass thickness of 19mm), the all-glass curtain wall should be suspended from the main structure.
3. The main components for suspending the all-glass curtain wall should have sufficient rigidity. When steel trusses or steel beams are used as load-bearing components, their centerlines should be consistent with the centerline of the curtain wall, and the centerlines of the elliptical screw holes should be consistent with the positions of the anchor bolts of the curtain wall suspension rods.
4. A rigid horizontal force transmission structure should be set between the hanging clips of the suspended all-glass curtain wall and the main structure.
5. After all steel structures have been welded, concealed works should be inspected and accepted. Only after passing the inspection should anti-rust paint be applied.
6. The size of the glass panels in all-glass curtain walls is generally large, and mechanical suction cups are recommended for installation.
7. The all-glass curtain wall allows on-site injection of silicone structural sealant.
8. The all-glass board surface must not come into direct contact with other rigid materials. The gap between the board surface and the decoration surface or structural surface should not be less than 8mm, and it should be sealed with sealant.
Point support
Point-supported glass curtain walls are glass curtain walls composed of glass panels, point-supported devices and supporting structures. Its support structure forms include glass rib support, single steel section or steel pipe support, truss support and tensioning rod and cable system support structure.
Unitized curtain wall
Unit-type curtain wall refers to a building curtain wall in which various wall panels and supporting frames are made into complete basic units of curtain wall structure in a factory and directly installed on the main structure. Unitized curtain walls can mainly be classified into: unitized curtain walls and semi-unitized curtain walls, also known as rigid unitized curtain walls. Semi-unitized curtain walls can be further divided into: upright and segmented unit combined curtain walls, and window wall unitized curtain walls.
