37º IAHS World Congress on Housing: - Universidad de Cantabria

XXXVII <strong>IAHS</strong><strong>World</strong> <strong>Congress</strong> on HousingOctober 26 – 29, 2010, Santander, SpainCODE: 920NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN CLADDINGS: POLYMERICCURTAIN WALLSJ. Astudillo, M. Mateos, M. GarcíaDepartment of Architecture and Technologies for ConstructionCIDEMCO-TecnaliaE-mail: julen.astudillo@cidemco.esKey words: curtain wall, claddings, composites, polymerAbstractThis presentation summarizes the results obtained in the European research project“Polymeric nanocomposite profiles for curtain walls” under the FP7. Substitution of typicalaluminium profiles by polymeric composites can lead to several advantages like betterthermal behaviour, lower weight and absence of corrosion. First of all the requirements thatcomposites must fulfil to substitute aluminium profiles of curtain walls were analysed.Different composites based on both thermoplastic and thermoset polymers and various fibreswere studied. Mechanical analysis showed that thermoset-based composites were moreaccurate as metal replacement. Design analysis together with simulation studies of thecladding behaviour with the new materials indicate that a modification in the design of acurtain wall is needed.37º <strong>IAHS</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Congress</strong> On Housing Science 297