The seismic performance of a stone curtain wall is critical for ensuring its safety and durability, especially during an earthquake. This analysis covers various tests designed to assess the structural integrity and endurance of different components within stone curtain wall systems.
(I) Strength Test of Joint Part
- Fixing Endurance Test of Dowel Plate
The stone curtain wall is fixed to a test device, and a dowel plate is used to apply continuous load vertically until the stone panel fractures. This test evaluates the load-bearing capacity of the stone and its dowel connection under seismic stress. The test bodies, typically used in natural stone curtain walls and stone panel curtain walls, are subjected to repeated stress to simulate real-world conditions. The goal is to ensure that the joint part withstands inertial forces during an earthquake without compromising the overall curtain wall stone cladding. - Fixed Endurance Test of Finishing Connector for Pre-cast Concrete of Stone
Here, stone panels are attached to a test device with concrete adhesives, simulating the installation on-site. This test examines the endurance of finishing connectors in pre-cast systems. Both vertical and horizontal loads are applied until the stone curtain wall facade components fail. The results help in designing safer stone column and curtain wall connections that can endure seismic forces without significant damage.
3.Endurance Test of Body Metal for Pre-cast Concrete of Stone
The endurance of body metal embedded in concrete slabs is tested by applying loads in multiple directions. This test is vital for assessing the durability of dry-hanging stone curtain walls, where body metal components are crucial for structural integrity. The outcome provides insights into the safe design limits for stone curtain walls under seismic conditions.
(II) Dynamic Deformation Energy Test
This test evaluates the ability of the stone curtain wall systems to absorb and dissipate energy during seismic activity. A sine waveform simulates earthquake shaking, and the deformation of the test specimen is observed.
- Stone Tent Wall Pasted by Dry Construction Method
A simulated dry-hanging is subjected to vibrations of increasing intensity to assess the movement, cracking, and potential detachment of stone panels. The test results confirm that the natural stone curtain wall can withstand moderate earthquakes without functional abnormalities. Only under severe seismic conditions do minor cracks appear, indicating a high level of earthquake resistance.
2.Tent Wall Constructed by Stone Precast PC Board Method
This test focuses on stone precast PC boards used in curtain walls. The assembly undergoes dynamic deformation testing to observe any displacement, loosening, or cracking. The results demonstrate that stone curtain walls constructed with PC boards can endure significant seismic activity without material detachment, ensuring a secure facade.
(III) Other Necessary Tests
- Bending Test
This test measures the flexural strength of stone panels used in stone curtain walls. The results ensure that the stone can withstand the stresses encountered during both construction and seismic events.
- Impact Test
The impact resistance of the stone curtain wall is evaluated using different impact bodies, including sandbags and steel balls. This test simulates real-world scenarios where the stone cladding curtain wall may be subject to sudden forces, such as debris impact during an earthquake. - Watertightness Test
The test specimen is subjected to water spray under pulsating pressure to check for leaks. This is critical for ensuring the structure remains watertight even under the stresses of seismic activity, preventing water infiltration that could compromise the structure.
- Wind Pressure Resistance Test
This test evaluates the resistance to wind pressure, ensuring that the facade can withstand both static and pulsating wind loads without deformation or failure.
Conclusion
The seismic performance tests conducted on stone curtain walls demonstrate their resilience under various stress conditions.