Can Engineers Cut Curtain-Wall Failures?

by David H. Nicastro, (M.ASCE), Principal Engineer; Law Engineering, Inc., 13831 Northwest Freeway, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77042,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1993, Vol. 63, Issue 11, Pg. 48-49


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

For many reasons, including owners' false perception of economy engineers have abdicated responsibility for curtainwall design. Failures of curtainwall components are very common, leading to expensive repairs and even complete replacement. Engineers can reverse this trend by assuming control of the functional design of building envelopes, without usurping the architect's authority. A broader economic model can reverse the trend, lessening the number and severity of curtainwall failures.

Subject Headings: Curtain walls | Failure analysis | Building design | Economic factors | Building envelope

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search