Architectural Steel Wall Panel Connections

SlenderWall connections are designed to allow panels to be erected as quickly as possible, thereby shortening the overall project schedule.

The most efficient connections are those that allow erectors to attach any welded-on material well before the start of erection. When possible, bolted connections can be utilized to allow the precast to be set faster as well as to allow for greater panel adjustment. Final adjustments can then be made at a later time. Coordination between the various trades must allow connections to properly interface with other building materials. Included in this Guide are a number of typical connections that provide the designer with a solid basis for cost-effective and highly-efficient designs. Consult your Easi-Set representative for your particular project to help optimize the connections and provide overall economy of materials.

Gravity connections are typically spaced at 4-feet-0-inches o.c. with tie-backs located at 6-feet-0-inches o.c. Based on actual panel size and loading conditions, these spacing guidelines may differ. This is why it is always best to involve an Easi-Set technical representative early on in the design process. This Guide also contains numerous connection concepts for various construction and/or building types. See Drawing Details S-1 through S-20 in the Typical Details.

Rotational movement of the structural support system and/or edge angles by imposed panel live and dead loads is the responsibility of the Engineer of Record to analyze for both temporary landing gravity/torsional loads and permanent gravity/torsional loads.

The Engineer of Record is also responsible for verifying the strength and stiffness of the supporting structure. Because SlenderWall panels utilize gravity supports at a 4-foot-0-inches o.c. spacing, consideration must be given to limit possible adverse effects from torsional rotation, or vertical deflection of the supporting structure. At no time should excessive torsional rotation of the supporting structure occur. The Engineer of Record must ensure that adequate bracing, stiffeners, and edge angles have been provided to allow for the optimum performance of the façade system.

Three basic types of deflection need to be considered and limited. These limitations will help ensure proper panel alignment and maintain adequate joint size. Each of these deflection limits should be noted on the Contract Documents and considered in the design of the supporting structure.

• Deflection Type 1 – Deflection of the Supporting Structure Prior to Placement of the Panels: Prior to the placement of the precast panels, and under application of the construction dead loads, the structure will undergo a certain amount of deflection. The EOR should ensure that these deflections
  are within code limits. This information should also be provided to Easi-Set and coordinated with the engineer during the early design phase so that appropriate connection designs can be developed. The effects of camber should also be included in this deflection limitation.

• Deflection Type 2 – Additional Deflection of the Supporting Structure after Erection of the Precast Panels: Once the panels are loaded onto the structure, the supporting structure could undergo an additional amount of deflection. It is extremely important to limit the amount of deflection at this critical phase as much as possible in order to allow the erector minimal need for costly posterection alignments. Therefore, it is recommended that this type of deflection be limited to 1/8-inch (preferred), with a maximum deflection of less than 1/4-inch.

• Deflection Type 3 – Additional Long-Term Deflection of the Supporting Structure Due to the Effects of Superimposed Dead Load Plus Live Load: After the panels have been erected, the supporting structure may undergo further deflection due to the application of additional dead and live loads. These deflections should be limited to reduce the possibility of long-term degradation of the panel joints and to ensure optimal performance of the façade system.

It cannot be over-emphasized that these deflections must be noted on the Contract Documents in addition to coordinating this with Easi-Set during the design phase. Easi-Set utilizes this information in the design and detailing of the panels and their connections.