PSI - Issue 13

Uroš Tatić et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 13 (2018) 496– 502 Author name / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2018) 000–000

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Dynamic load of the wind represents one of the most common issues present in the windows deformation and its influence is defined within different national standards for each state. Load is defined in accordance to altitude, wind zone (based on the observation of the general behaviour of the wind in specific area) and level of urbanity (urban area, suburban area with mainly low height buildings, scattered area, etc.). Due to complex test procedures required for a load pressure test as well as limitations in the testing equipment, testing of windows of heights above 3 m can present a complex issue. Experimental procedure used to evaluate the behaviour of the large slender wooden window elements of heights of 2 m as well as the process of development of the numerical model used to replicate experimental behaviour and predict behaviour of taller elements is present in this paper. 2. Method According to the Slovenian national standard (SIST EN 12210:2000) for the windows and doors a wind load of 2000 Pa was used as it covers most of the zones within Slovenia. During the test procedure a slender wooden window element with a mullion (fixed vertical profile) in the middle was used. According to a standard EN12210 the highest window quality category is defined with maximal deflection of the mullion which must be less then height/300 (SIST EN 12210:2000). During the test procedure windows were installed in especially constructed test rig with ability of pressure application. Pressure was gradually increased to a static equivalent of the required pressure of 2000 Pa. Example of the window setup during the testing procedure can be seen in Fig. 1 . Main goal was to obtain required parameters for development of numerical models of reinforced wooden window profiles which will allow the production of window systems with height of over 4 m. Testing procedure was performed with the use of two specimens, and each one loaded with four different scenarios used to obtain as much data as possible to simulate behaviour of the independent parameters such as mutual contact, influence of the glass on the stiffness, influence of the hinge connection, etc. First specimen was standard double casement window with only wooden profile elements whereas the second one had two reinforcing elements integrated in the mullion. Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a window mullion without reinforcement for a specimen W and with two reinforcements for specimen R. All other parts were identical for both models. Aluminium was used for reinforcing due to a low cost and ease of production of test specimens even though it is not the most appropriate material for window elements due to its high thermal conductivity ( λ =160 W/mK).

Fig. 1 Example of the window setup during the testing procedure (left and middle), cross section of a mullion (right)

During the tests of the specimens without insulated glass unit (IGU) a special foil was used instead to provide