×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Curtainwall Deflection Clips

Curtainwall Deflection Clips

Curtainwall Deflection Clips

(OP)
I am designing a light gage steel head support for an 18 ft. tall curtainwall system. The curtainwall vertical mullions are about 5 ft. O.C.. My framing is rigidly attached to the structure so CW installer will need to use deflection clips on his system. Does anyone if the clips can only be installed at the vertical mullions or can they be installed at a tighter spacing - such as 16" O.C. The reason I ask is that a deflection clip will add a localized moment and prying to the track of my header due to the eccentricity. (I assume anyhow - unless that somehow gets reacted into the mullion) I would like to minimize this stress.

Thanks

RE: Curtainwall Deflection Clips

I think usually just the vertical mullions. To have intermittent attachment, you'd need a continuous header member built into the top of the curtain wall wouldn't you? I've no doubt that is possible but I don't think that it's the default arrangement.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

RE: Curtainwall Deflection Clips

(OP)
Thanks Kootk - Did not know if the aluminum member up there was up to the task.
Do you know if the mechanism slides down deeply into the vertical mullion to develop a moment resisting, sliding connection?

RE: Curtainwall Deflection Clips

Quote (XR250)

Do you know if the mechanism slides down deeply into the vertical mullion to develop a moment resisting, sliding connection?

I would wager yes, even if that effect is unintentional. I'd like see that confirmed by the manufacturer though.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

RE: Curtainwall Deflection Clips

Are you the one that is specifying the studs and their connections or is there a stud designer? Whoever designs them should also be designing the appropriate connection.

Let the calculations determine whether a deep leg track is sufficiently strong enough to laterally support intermediate studs at 16" oc without going to the heavier slotted clip angles. I would guess that the studs over the CW header are short enough that a standard deep leg track is all that is required but for the 18 foot full length studs, clips will probably be required.

RE: Curtainwall Deflection Clips

In my experience, there won't be clips at the top of the curtainwall. There will be an aluminum receptor frame, designed by the curtainwall manufacturer.

I typically design the continuous track at the bottom of the cold formed steel framing for a uniform wind load.

DaveAtkins

RE: Curtainwall Deflection Clips

(OP)

Quote (DaveAtkins)

In my experience, there won't be clips at the top of the curtainwall. There will be an aluminum receptor frame, designed by the curtainwall manufacturer.

I typically design the continuous track at the bottom of the cold formed steel framing for a uniform wind load.

I have been doing a uniform load, but have started thinking a little deeper about it lately. How does an aluminum receptor work?

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources