Architectural Panel
Performances
Prepared by: Robert Jutras, eng.
Air-Ins Inc, testing laboratory
FULL SCALE
LABORATORY
TESTING OF
PANELS
Objectives of laboratory testing
• Evaluate system performance to standards and
building code requirements.
• Confirm system design
• Installation
• Quality audit and procedure
• Tool for site inspection
• Pro-active assistance in resolving issues prior to
construction.
ASTM E72 Standard Test Methods
of Conducting Strength Tests of
Panels for Building Construction
ASTM E283 Standard Test Method for
Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through
Walls, Under Specified Pressure
Differences Across the Specimen
Air Leakage Testing
Apparatus
Water penetration using static and
dynamic air pressure
ASTM E331 Standard Test Method for Water
Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights,
Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air
Pressure Difference
AAMA 501.1 Standard test method for metal
curtain walls for water penetration using
dynamic pressure
Water Penetration Testing
Scheme
Water penetration using dynamic
pressure, testing apparatus
ASTM E330 Standard Test Method for Structural
Performance of Exterior Walls by Uniform Static
Air Pressure Difference
Structural Performance testing
scheme
AAMA 501.5 Test Method for Thermal
Cycling of Exterior Walls
AAMA 501.5 Test Method for Thermal
Cycling of Exterior Walls
Thermal Performance
(R value & Condensation)
ASTM C236 Standard Test Method for SteadyState Thermal Performance of Building Assemblies
by Means of a Guarded Hot Box.
ASTM C1363 Standard Test Method for Thermal
Performance of Building Materials and Envelope
Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus
(formerly C976)
CAN/CSA-A440-00, Windows / Special Publication
A440.1-00, User Selection Guide to CSA Standard
Thermal Performances Testing Scheme
TESTS RESULTS – AIR BARRIER
Air infiltration:
@ 75 Pa =
@ 300 Pa =
0.0053 l/sec-m²
0.0132 l/sec-m²
Air exfiltration:
@ 75 Pa =
@ 300 Pa =
0.0050 l/sec-m²
0.0147 l/sec-m²
NBC (2005) Air Barrier System
Properties, sentence 5.4.1.2 (1)
The above sentence specifies a maximum air
leakage of 0.02 L / (s-m²) for materials used in an
air barrier system.
Appendix A recommends a maximum air leakage
rate for the complete air barrier system and
considers the relative humidity of the warm side.
The most severe requirement listed in the NBC is
when the warm side is at 21°C and RH is > 55%.
The maximum System Air Leakage Rate at 75 Pa
should not exceed 0.05 L / (s-m²)
TESTS RESULTS – WATER
PENETRATION
• Water penetration using static and dynamic
pressure differential.
• No water penetration @ 700 Pa (15 minutes)
NBC (2005) Required Protection from
Precipitation, sentence 5.6.1.1 (1)
Where a building component or assembly is
exposed to precipitation, the component or
assembly shall:
a) minimize ingress of precipitation into the
component or assembly, and
b) prevent ingress of precipitation into interior
space.
NBC (2005) Sealing and Drainage
sentence 5.6.2.1 (1)
Materials, components, assemblies, joints in
materials, junctions between components and
junction between assemblies exposed to
precipitation shall be:
a) Sealed to prevent ingress of precipitation, or
b) Drained to direct precipitation to the exterior.
TEST RESULTS – STRUCTURAL
PERFORMANCES (ASTM E330)
Tested at design pressure of ± 1.45 kPa (30 lbs/pi²)
(wind load):
Maximum deflexion recorded: 6 mm.
The standard requires that the maximum allowable
panel deflexion must be below or equal to the
smallest value between 1/180 of the free span or
20 mm (3/4 po).
TEST RESULTS – STRUCTURAL
PERFORMANCES (ASTM E330)
Tested at 1.5 X design pressure: ± 2.18 kPa (45
lbs/pi²) (ultimate wind load):
The standard stipulate that visible damages or
permanent warping will cause a test failure.
TESTS RESULTS – THERMAL
CYCLING (AAMA 501.5)
This test is performed for seven cycles where the
exterior temperature varies from -30°C (-22°F) à +
82°C (180°F) over an 8 hours period.
The standard stipulate that visible damages or
permanent warping causing a degradation of the wall
performance or appearance will cause a test failure.
TESTS RESULTS – THERMAL
PERFORMANCES
R si:
3.36 (m2*C/W)
R imp:
19.78 (pi2*F*h/BTU)
TESTS RESULTS - CONDENSATION
Test sample conditioning:
T ext.:
-30 C
T int.:+20 C
Temperature coefficient:
71.9