Exceptional atmospheric events resilience of the curtain wall

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a research conducted on codes and standards adopted internationally for the design, construction and testing of hurricane- and tornado-resistant façades. These façades are built using technologies that pass tests in order to verify the resistance of both the frame and the glazed surface to the impacts caused by wind-borne debris during these extreme meteorological events. The aim of the research is the identification of the best practices that have been adopted, in order to increase the resilience of building envelopes to this weather phenomenon, evaluating the possible applicability of adopting the principles to the specific needs of the European and Italian market.