Rain Intrusion through Horizontal Joints in Façade Panel Systems—Experimental Investigation
Façade panel systems with horizontal open joints are commonly used on larger buildings in Nordic countries. Excessive water intrusion through open joints may cause deterioration of the façade, a concern exacerbated by climate change. Previous studies have shown that current design recommendations fo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/10/1497 |
| _version_ | 1797474726865534976 |
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| author | Eva Armstrong Støver Marte Haugen Sundsøy Erlend Andenæs Stig Geving Tore Kvande |
| author_facet | Eva Armstrong Støver Marte Haugen Sundsøy Erlend Andenæs Stig Geving Tore Kvande |
| author_sort | Eva Armstrong Støver |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Façade panel systems with horizontal open joints are commonly used on larger buildings in Nordic countries. Excessive water intrusion through open joints may cause deterioration of the façade, a concern exacerbated by climate change. Previous studies have shown that current design recommendations for open-joint façade panel systems may not be optimal to prevent water intrusion. It is therefore of interest to investigate the watertightness of different design solutions for horizontal joints to inform recommendations for more durable façades. Large-scale measurements are conducted in a driving rain apparatus. Façade panel systems with different joint solutions are tested according to NS-EN 1027:2016. In total, 72 unique tests are conducted, investigating the impact of the four parameters: panel types, joint widths, joint profiles, and bevelled joint designs. All designs performed differently for the different types of panels, making it difficult to draw general conclusions. Smooth panels consistently exhibit higher water intrusion rates than rough panels, because runoff concentrates in streams on a smooth surface, causing localized, great intrusion in the horizontal joints. Modifications of the joints or the insertion of aluminium profiles may reduce or increase water intrusion. The most watertight among the investigated solutions involves an h-shaped profile. Bevelled joints improve overall watertightness but may direct more water towards the wind barrier. For open joints, a narrower joint width was found to decrease water intrusion to the wind barrier. In general, a barrier is needed to protect the joints against water intrusion. However, the effectiveness of protection measures depends on their design and mounting. Some protection measures led to greater water intrusion than no barrier at all. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:34:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b1120fd43b474f44b33945d5d0d9d455 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:34:18Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj.art-b1120fd43b474f44b33945d5d0d9d4552023-11-23T23:15:15ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092022-09-011210149710.3390/buildings12101497Rain Intrusion through Horizontal Joints in Façade Panel Systems—Experimental InvestigationEva Armstrong Støver0Marte Haugen Sundsøy1Erlend Andenæs2Stig Geving3Tore Kvande4Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Architecture, Materials and Structures, SINTEF Community, 7465 Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, NorwayFaçade panel systems with horizontal open joints are commonly used on larger buildings in Nordic countries. Excessive water intrusion through open joints may cause deterioration of the façade, a concern exacerbated by climate change. Previous studies have shown that current design recommendations for open-joint façade panel systems may not be optimal to prevent water intrusion. It is therefore of interest to investigate the watertightness of different design solutions for horizontal joints to inform recommendations for more durable façades. Large-scale measurements are conducted in a driving rain apparatus. Façade panel systems with different joint solutions are tested according to NS-EN 1027:2016. In total, 72 unique tests are conducted, investigating the impact of the four parameters: panel types, joint widths, joint profiles, and bevelled joint designs. All designs performed differently for the different types of panels, making it difficult to draw general conclusions. Smooth panels consistently exhibit higher water intrusion rates than rough panels, because runoff concentrates in streams on a smooth surface, causing localized, great intrusion in the horizontal joints. Modifications of the joints or the insertion of aluminium profiles may reduce or increase water intrusion. The most watertight among the investigated solutions involves an h-shaped profile. Bevelled joints improve overall watertightness but may direct more water towards the wind barrier. For open joints, a narrower joint width was found to decrease water intrusion to the wind barrier. In general, a barrier is needed to protect the joints against water intrusion. However, the effectiveness of protection measures depends on their design and mounting. Some protection measures led to greater water intrusion than no barrier at all.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/10/1497water intrusionrain intrusionopen jointlaboratory measurementsfaçade panel systemswatertightness |
| spellingShingle | Eva Armstrong Støver Marte Haugen Sundsøy Erlend Andenæs Stig Geving Tore Kvande Rain Intrusion through Horizontal Joints in Façade Panel Systems—Experimental Investigation Buildings water intrusion rain intrusion open joint laboratory measurements façade panel systems watertightness |
| title | Rain Intrusion through Horizontal Joints in Façade Panel Systems—Experimental Investigation |
| title_full | Rain Intrusion through Horizontal Joints in Façade Panel Systems—Experimental Investigation |
| title_fullStr | Rain Intrusion through Horizontal Joints in Façade Panel Systems—Experimental Investigation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rain Intrusion through Horizontal Joints in Façade Panel Systems—Experimental Investigation |
| title_short | Rain Intrusion through Horizontal Joints in Façade Panel Systems—Experimental Investigation |
| title_sort | rain intrusion through horizontal joints in facade panel systems experimental investigation |
| topic | water intrusion rain intrusion open joint laboratory measurements façade panel systems watertightness |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/10/1497 |
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