Inverted Curtainwall Anchoring for Structural Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional curtainwall systems face challenges in accommodating variations in building structural tolerances and movements, such as deflection, thermal expansion, and seismic activity, while maintaining secure anchoring and allowing for vertical motion at movable stack joints.
Innovation Solution
The proposed anchoring system for unitized curtainwall systems involves anchoring the bottom portion of the curtainwall unit to the floor slab to support vertical loads, while the top portion is secured against horizontal movement using a vertical anchor structure and a horizontal anchor structure, allowing for vertical motion at the stack joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the top portion of the curtainwall unit is fixed to the floor slab to support vertical loads, then the vertical load bearing capacity is improved, but the ability to accommodate building structural movements and tolerances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional anchoring approach by fixing the bottom portion of the curtainwall unit to the floor slab instead of the top portion. This inversion allows the top portion to remain free for accommodating building structural movements while the bottom portion provides stable vertical load support. The inverted configuration resolves the contradiction by separating the load-bearing function (bottom anchor) from the movement-accommodation function (top section).
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring system is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a fixed bottom portion anchored to the floor slab for vertical load support, and a free top portion that can move with building structural movements. This segmentation allows each part to independently fulfill its specific function, resolving the contradiction between load bearing and movement accommodation.
2Strength
If the bottom portion of the curtainwall unit is fixed to the floor slab to support vertical loads, then the vertical load bearing capacity is improved, but the horizontal movement restriction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the anchoring point from the top to the bottom of the curtainwall unit, the system achieves vertical load support through the bottom anchor while leaving the top portion free for horizontal movement. This inversion strategically places the fixed point where it provides load support without restricting the operational freedom needed at the top section.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional anchoring methods are used to accommodate tolerances, then the adaptability to structural variations is improved, but the architectural design flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted anchoring configuration simplifies architectural design by fixing the bottom portion to establish a stable reference plane for sill trim and other architectural elements. This inversion reduces design complexity compared to conventional top-anchoring methods that require complex accommodation mechanisms for tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchoring system for anchoring curtainwall units may include an anchor base structure to be attached to the floor slab, a vertical anchor structure and a horizontal anchor structure. The vertical anchor structure may be connected to a lower portion of the upper row curtainwall unit and bear a load of the upper row curtainwall unit on the anchor base structure, thereby fixing a distance between the floor slab and the lower portion of the upper row curtainwall unit while allowing horizontal motion. The horizontal anchor structure may be configured to be connected to an upper portion of the lower row curtainwall unit, and to use the anchor base structure to secure the upper portion of the lower row curtainwall unit against horizontal motion while allowing vertical motion.