Multiwall Polycarbonate Systems
Transcription
Multiwall Polycarbonate Systems
• About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall Polycarbonate Systems This Online Learning Seminar is available through a professional courtesy provided by: AmeriLux International 1212 Enterprise Dr. De Pere, WI 54115 Telephone: (888) 602-4441 Fax: (920) 336-9301 Website: www.ameriluxinternational.com START powered by ©2013 · Table of Contents ©2011, 2013 AmeriLux. The material contained in this course was researched, assembled, and produced by AmeriLux and remains its property. “LEED” and related logo is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission. Questions or concerns about the content of this course should be directed to the program instructor. Slide 1 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall Polycarbonate Systems Presented by: AmeriLux International 1212 Enterprise Dr. De Pere, WI 54115 Description: Provides an overview of multiwall polycarbonate, its contribution to daylighting, the various types, its thermal and light transmission properties, and its multiple architectural applications. To ensure the accuracy of this program material, this course is valid only when listed on AEC Daily’s Online Learning Center. Please click here to verify the status of this course. If the course is not displayed on the above page, it is no longer offered. The American Institute of Architects · Course No. AEC646 · This program qualifies for 1.0 LU/HSW Hour. AEC Daily Corporation is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and nonAIA members are available upon request. This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation. This course is approved by other organizations. Please click here for details. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 2 of 72 • About the Instructor ©2013 · Table of Contents • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Slide 3 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert AEC Daily Corporation has met the standards and requirements of the Registered Continuing Education Program. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to RCEP at RCEP.net. A certificate of completion will be issued to each participant. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the RCEP. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 4 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Purpose and Learning Objectives Purpose: Provides an overview of multiwall polycarbonate, its contribution to daylighting, the various types, its thermal and light transmission properties, and its multiple architectural applications. Learning Objectives: At the end of this program, participants will be able to: • • • • • list the benefits and design considerations for daylighting describe how multiwall polycarbonate contributes to sustainability, and explain how the method of manufacturing allows for additional energy saving benefits describe the properties of multiwall polycarbonate, including its light transmission and thermal performance explore various multiwall polycarbonate systems, their ideal applications and advantages, and recall the various architectural applications of multiwall polycarbonate sheeting in industrial, residential and sport facilities. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 5 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert How to use this Online Learning Course • To view this course, use the arrows at the bottom of each slide or the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard. • To print or exit the course at any time, press the ESC key on your keyboard. This will minimize the full-screen presentation and display the menu bar. • Within this course is an exam password that you will be required to enter in order to proceed with the online examination. Please be sure to remember or write down this exam password so that you have it available for the test. • To receive a certificate indicating course completion, refer to the instructions at the end of the course. • For additional information and post-seminar assistance, click on any of the logos and icons within a page or any of the links at the top of each page. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 6 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Table of Contents What Is Multiwall Polycarbonate? 8 Properties and Performance 13 Sustainability and High Quality Daylight 34 Multiwall Polycarbonate Systems 43 Summary 70 Click on title to view ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 7 of 72 • • About the Instructor About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert What Is Multiwall Polycarbonate? ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 8 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall Polycarbonate Overview Polycarbonate is a widely used plastic from a specific group of thermoplastic polymers. It is versatile due to its high impact resistance, clarity, wide temperature range, fire resistance, and UV coatings, making it well-suited for many applications. When extruded into multiwall sheets, polycarbonate is available in a wide range of thicknesses and structural strengths. Its high strength and light weight means longer spans with less support. Designing with multiwall polycarbonate is limited only by one’s imagination. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 9 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Ingredients Polycarbonate is made with Bisphenol A (the core shape in the monomer below), which is a key organic compound in the creation of thermoplastic polymers. Although the molecular bonds are strong, making polycarbonate tough and durable, thermoplastics are very recyclable and do not degrade when reprocessed. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 10 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Manufacturing Extruding polycarbonate uses plastic resin, which is melted and pushed through a die. Imagine the plastic being formed into pipes or tubes, a multiwall sheet being many pipes connected to one another. After traveling through the die, the sheets enter a hot oven to release tension. The polycarbonate sheets then travel through a series of rolls and are cooled and cut to the final dimensions. Dies are sophisticated, expensive, and unique for each product created. Different dies will set the width, thickness, and structure of the products, creating particular forms to the specifications of a company. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 11 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Co-Extrusion Process Co-extrusion involves adding a thin layer of a complementing material to the polycarbonate extrusion. This allows the addition of specialty materials with performance enhancements to the polycarbonate sheet. UV Co-extrusion layer The co-extruded material is often used as a UV protection layer, as a means to color the sheet, or to add other external performance improvements. It can be added to one or both sides of the polycarbonate sheet. Polycarbonate Main extruder PC resin Co-extruder PC resin and UV absorber ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 12 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Properties and Performance ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 13 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Polycarbonate and Light Transmission Multiwall polycarbonate is primarily used as a glazing material. The high light transmission of polycarbonate makes it ideal for daylighting. The structure of the multiwall polycarbonate helps diffuse light. New UV coextrusions and coatings protect this light transmission from yellowing the polycarbonate. In addition to light transmission, other performance characteristics such as thermal resistance and strength make multiwall polycarbonate an excellent glazing material. In this section, we’ll look at typical glazing performance. All performance data is based on the following standards: • % Light Transmission: ISO 9050, EN410 D65 (380–780 nm) • Shading Coefficient and SHGC: ISO 9050, EN410 • U-Value (Btu/hr ft2 °F): ISO 10077 (EN673) ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 14 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert UV Resistance and Warranty Over time, UV light affects the outer layer of the polycarbonate sheet. This may turn the outer layer of the sheet yellow, which indicates a loss of the sheet’s mechanical properties—namely LT (light transmission) and impact resistance. The most common procedure used to protect the sheet from UV degradation is a microscopic layer of UV/polycarbonate inhibitor. This “co-extruded protection layer” blocks the UV wavelength before it gets to the outermost layer of the polycarbonate. Other advanced panels have a coating applied during the production process. In a typical test measuring a sheet’s ability to resist UV, the sheet is exposed to 4500 hours of sun approximating 10 years of exposure. The angle to the sun, direction, dust, and shade all play a role in the lifespan of the product. Polycarbonate is also very resilient to temperature changes since it can maintain its mechanical properties from 40°F to 248°F. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 15 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert UV Resistance and Yellowing Sheet degradation is measured using a yellowness index, ∆YI. Yellowness index is a number calculated from spectrophotometric data that describes the change in color of a test sample from clear or white toward yellow. The essence of this test is to measure the difference in the color of the sheet at any point in time compared to its original color. Delta YI also correlates with a proportionate amount of loss of the sheet’s ability to transmit light (light transmission). Some modern polycarbonate sheets have warranties for maximum yellowing as low as ∆2. Sample 1: ∆YI = 0 ©2013 · Table of Contents Sample 2: ∆YI = 2 : Industry leading warranty Sample 3: ∆YI = 10 : Typical multiwall PC sheet warranty Slide 16 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert UV Protection: Coatings Various coatings can also be added to the panels to increase the performance. Often, these coatings are applied as part of the original manufacturing process, providing a strong bond that cannot be worn off or removed. UV protective coatings have the ability to outperform co-extrusions with up to 15-year warranties. Coatings can also provide drip resistance and easy clean capabilities. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 17 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert UV Protection The stadium pictured below is found in Amsterdam. After 15 years in use, the multiwall polycarbonate roof shows no discernible change in color. This was verified by TNO, a thirdparty testing organization in Europe. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 18 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Panel Strength Structure and Thickness = Strength and Thermal Performance Increasing the thickness of a panel and altering the structure and size of the internal walls can increase the panel strength. Panel (4' Wide) 2"DX at 3" 2"DX at 4' 10mm Twin Wall 35 psf na 16mm Triple Wall 60 psf 20 psf 25mm 5x Wall 120 psf 100 psf Actual loading dependent on system and application. DX= Maximum deflection ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 19 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Design Aesthetics Design options include: • Colors in clear, opal, blue, green, bronze, and custom • Textures from smooth sheen to hammered crystal • Framing and profiles with finishes to complement ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 20 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Definitions Light Transmission: Percentage of incident visible light that passes through the sheet. Visible Light Transmission (VLT): A measure of the amount of visible light that passes through the sheet. Visible light transmission, or simply visible transmission (VT), is a fraction of the visible spectrum of sunlight (380 to 720 nanometers), weighted by the sensitivity of the human eye. A product with a higher VT transmits more visible light. VT is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): The amount of direct solar transmission plus secondary heat transfer compared to amount of heat hitting the sheet. Secondary heat transfer is a calculated part of the solar absorption. The relationship between SHGC and SC(shading co-efficient) is: SHGC = SC × 0.87. The lower a window’s SHCG, the less solar heat it transmits, and the greater its shading ability. R- and U-Values: These indicate the thermal resistance of a material. They are a measurement of the amount of energy that transfers to a material. The higher the R-value the greater the thermal resistance. U-value is the inverse of R-value. The lower the Uvalue, the greater the thermal resistance. U=1/R ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 21 of 72 • • About the Instructor About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Performance Values Visual and thermal performance values for various gauges, structures, and colors: Sheet Size Color VLT SHGC U-Value 10mm Twin Wall Clear 81 .80 .52 10mm Twin Wall Opal 40 .68 .52 10mm Twin Wall Bronze 50 .55 .52 16mm Triple Wall Clear 74 .78 .40 16mm Triple Wall Opal 40 .57 .40 25mm 5x Wall Clear 57 .65 .26 25mm 5x Wall Opal 49 .54 .26 40mm X Wall* Clear 49 .53 .22 40mm X Wall* Grey 14 .32 .22 *Interior X cross structure ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 22 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Sheet Sizes The length and width of polycarbonate sheeting can be adjusted to meet specific customer requirements. However, standard sheeting sizes in the United States are 4 ft. or 6 ft. wide, with the maximum length being 52 ft. long. Cutting and trimming of the sheet’s length is usually free of charge, while the cutting of the width is negotiable in most cases since it is technically easy and possible. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 23 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Light Weight Polycarbonate materials have a hollow-core structure. The structure functions like an I-beam and offers strength along with light weight. Multiwall polycarbonate is 15 to 20 times lighter that a piece of glass of similar thickness. Its light weight offers significant savings in terms of transportation, handling and installation. A similar truck could haul four to five times the square footage of 25mm multiwall polycarbonate as it could 1" double pane glass. Polycarbonate is safe and easy to handle, cut, and install. This ease of handling and fabrication can reduce construction time and cost. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 24 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Impact Resistance and Durability Polycarbonate products offer high impact resistance and protection against storm damage and vandalism. Common uses include: safety glass, storm shutters, and bullet resistant dividers. The impact strength of polycarbonate glazing products has been tested to meet Florida Building Code, Miami-Dade County Building Code and Texas Building Code impact standards. Although not included as a category in all green building certification systems, durability remains a valuable trait for sustainable building products. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 25 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Cold Bending Multiwall polycarbonate sheets can be cold bent lengthwise over a curved support. Once a sheet is removed from its form, it will regain its flat profile. Polycarbonate cold bending is a good solution to applications such as domes and roof lights. Field fabrication offers greater flexibility and can account for variations in construction. Over-bending may be a breach of warranty. Thickness Min. Radius 8mm 55" 16mm 110" 25mm 173" Typical allowable radii ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 26 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Flame Retardant The relative burning behavior of a material is determined by observing flame spread during testing. ASTM E84 and D635 measure and describe the material performance and determine its acceptance by building codes. Most multiwall polycarbonate products are rated Class A and CC1. Polycarbonate often achieves values greatly below the maximum for ASTM E84 and D635 ratings. This high performance can be seen in large-scale tests where polycarbonate will outperform other materials, like FRP or acrylic, that in lab tests had similar results. Polycarbonate in a fire test Acrylic in a fire test ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 27 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Anti-Condensation Water droplets on the inside surface of polycarbonate glazing reduce light transmission, and, if they fall, can spoil plants or damage sensitive goods and equipment beneath. Reduces Contact Angle Water droplets Anti-condensation sheets are available with a hydrophilic coating which reduces the contact angle of the condensation of the droplets. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 28 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Anti-Drip This coating helps eliminate the dripping of water droplets into the interior and prevents the reduction of light transmission by condensation droplets. The thin layer of water runs off the polycarbonate sheet without affecting the light transmission values of the glazing. With both sides of the sheet having UV protection, it is the perfect product for applications such as greenhouses and swimming pool covers. Please remember the exam password SKYLIGHT. You will be required to enter it in order to proceed with the online examination. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 29 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Aerogel An additional option for increased thermal performance is combining polycarbonate with aerogel. Aerogel is derived from a gel in which the liquid component of the gel has been replaced with a gas. Silica aerogel is used with polycarbonate glazing. Silica aerogel has the lowest known density of any solid and promises glazings that transmit light, yet insulate similarly to the best rigid foams. Though aerogel is derived from a gel, they do not share any common properties. Instead, aerogel is more like a rigid foam with extremely low density. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 30 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Aerogel Aerogels have several remarkable properties: • • • • • • • • • High light transmission Noncombustible Totally recyclable Nontoxic Silica aerogels contain 97% air Color stable Hydrophobic (repels water) C2C certified Highly effective as a thermal insulator (R-8 in a single inch) ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 31 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Aerogel Aerogel’s high porosity and fine structure ensures excellent thermal performance in inhibiting heat transfer: • Conduction: The low solid content of aerogel reduces the transfer of heat through solid phase conduction. • Convection: The pore size of aerogel traps gas molecules, preventing them from colliding and transferring heat. • Radiation: Aerogel can be opacified, minimizing heat radiation by absorbing it. ©2013 · Table of Contents Gas molecules in open space Gas molecules in aerogel Slide 32 of 72 • • About the Instructor About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Aerogel Polycarbonate sheets filled with aerogel exhibit increased thermal insulation coupled with excellent light transmission. The chart below shows the performance for aerogel-filled polycarbonate glazing. Accelerated age testing of aerogels has been very successful and has shown that there is no discoloration due to ultraviolet light; there is no risk of absorbing moisture because the material is permanently hydrophobic. 1" Insulated Glass Unit Standard 25mm Panel AerogelFilled 16mm Panel Aerogel-Filled 25mm Panel Aerogel-Filled 40mm Panel R-Value 2.85 2.94 3.84* 6.25* 10* Light Transmission 74% 72% 52%* 49%* 38%* Solar Heat Gain Coefficient .71 .57 .57* .54* .42* STC Value (Sound) n/a 20 21 24 n/a *Tested per NFRC ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 33 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Sustainability and High Quality Daylight ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 34 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Healthy and Energy Efficient The high performance of multiwall polycarbonate makes it an ideal product for daylighting and sustainable design. Daylighting is an extremely beneficial aspect of sustainable and green design. By understanding its key benefits and design challenges, the advantage of multiwall polycarbonate is clear. “Daylighting design, when done with care, is the single most powerful strategy to reduce energy use in commercial and institutional buildings— from 30% to 60%.” California’s Pacific Gas and Electric Company. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 35 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Benefits In a study done in San Juan Capistrano, California, students with the most daylighting in their classrooms progressed 20% faster on math tests and 26% on reading tests in one year than those with the least. Diffused daylight through a skylight was also found to affect test scores positively. Students with a well-designed skylight in their room, one that diffused the daylight throughout the room and which allowed teachers to control the amount of daylight entering the room, also improved by 19–20% faster than those students without a skylight. Source: Heshong Mahone Group. “Daylighting in Schools.” PG&E 1999. http://h-mg.com/projects/daylighting/summaries%20on%20daylighting.htm#ReAnalysis%20Report:%20Daylighting%20in%20Schools,%20Additional%20Analysis %20%20%20–%20CEC%20PIER%202001 ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 36 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Benefits According to studies done by the Heschong Mahone Group from California, diffused daylighting increased retail sales up to 40% for one major retailer. For another, daylighting achieved profits worth 19 times more than energy savings, possibly even 45–100 times more. In a similar study, it was found that with access to a window with an attractive view, call center workers handled calls 6% to 12% faster, while office workers tested 10% to 25% better when compared to workers in spaces with less light and window views. However, glare potential decreased performance by 15% to 21%. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 37 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Glare Glare is a drastic change in light intensity that our eyes are not able to adjust to easily. This may be light reflecting off a mirror or water—or, in the case of the top image, is a result of shadows cast on desks. While the room has more than enough light, the human eye cannot adjust between the 400 foot-candles (fc) on the desks and the 10fc on the board. The image on the bottom utilizes translucent glazing on the top two sections of window. This translucent glazing scatters light, allowing it to reach further into the room. It also reduces the contrast between the desks and board. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 38 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Light Quality In addition to thermal insulation and sound reduction, the addition of aerogel to multiwall polycarbonate greatly improves light quality. When light hits the aerogel, it is scattered in all directions. This results in 100% light diffusion. Not only is a high percentage of the light transmitted, but the light is of the highest quality, eliminating glare. In tests where a panel is exposed to light at -45°, almost half the light is reflected above 0° after passing through the panel. 25mm aerogel-filled panel ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 39 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Human Health and Natural Light A biological process in line with a 24-hour period is a circadian rhythm. These rhythms are driven by an internal clock. Examples of these rhythms are seen in body temperatures, the sleep/wake cycle, peak coordination, and various body chemicals. Among other factors, light is important to the setting and maintaining of our internal clock. The full spectrum of natural light is the only proven method of maintaining this internal clock. Natural light also varies in intensity throughout the day, which has an effect on human function. Cool White Sunlight (12:00 Noon) Different wavelengths of light affect the human body in different ways. As shown in the graphs to the right, the light levels in artificial light can vary greatly from that of natural sunlight. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 40 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Overview: LEED® Certification The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization composed of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings and communities that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. USGBC developed the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification program, the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED credit requirements cover the performance of materials in aggregate, not the performance of individual products or brands. Therefore, products that meet the LEED performance criteria can only contribute toward earning points needed for LEED certification and cannot earn points individually toward LEED certification. For detailed information about the council, their principles and programs, please visit www.usgbc.org. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 41 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert LEED Polycarbonate contributes to achieving points under the LEED green building certification program: Sustainable Sites: Credit 8 – Light Pollution Reduction (1 point): Sheets offer light-diffusing characteristics that prevent direct-beam illumination from leaving the building interior. Also, sheet color can be easily varied within an application. Energy & Atmosphere: Credit 1 – Optimize Energy Performance (1–19 Credits): The thermal performance of multiwall polycarbonate, especially when filled with aerogel, can greatly improve building thermal performance. Daylighting can help reduce electrical loads. Materials & Resources: Credits 4.1 and 4.2 – Recycled Content (1 point each): Polycarbonate sheet may utilize between 15% and 30% of pre-consumer recycled content that can help builders to obtain these credits. Indoor Environmental Quality: Credits 8.1 and 8.2 – Daylight & Views (1 point each): Multiwall polycarbonate is an ideal material for translucent daylighting. It can be used in a variety of standard and custom glazing systems. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 42 of 72 • • About the Instructor About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall Polycarbonate Systems ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 43 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheets Multiwall sheets can be used as a standard glazing material and can be cut to size on site. The advantage of these sheets is the multitude of sizes and their light weight. The thermal expansion properties of these sheets has to be considered during design and installation and when installing gaskets and silicon sealant. These sheets are very flexible and can be cold bent to suit design requirements. Loading capacity of the particular sheet will determine its width and the length, as well as thickness. The higher the load, generally, the thicker the sheet. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 44 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheets Common uses for multiwall sheets include the following: • 6mm and 8mm are usually for greenhouses and signage. • 10mm use is office dividers and drop ceilings. • 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 32mm are used when high impact or heavy snow/wind load designs are needed. • 32mm to 50mm is used when high-insulation performance is needed. • The thicker the panel, the stronger and better the insulation performance. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 45 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Polycarbonate vs. Glass The benefits of choosing a polycarbonate system over a glass system include the following: • • • • • • • • • • Minimized solar glare and heat gain High-quality diffused daylight projects into the room No interior or exterior shading devices needed Can be field-fabricated Lightweight and high strength, requires less structure Curves easily (cold forms) to suit the design Cuts easily for unique shapes Cost for thermal performance is significantly better Sheets color easily for exceptional aesthetics Is a 100% recyclable material with a possibility of LEED points ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 46 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Polycarbonate vs. Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) The benefits of choosing a polycarbonate system over an FRP system include the following: • • • • • • • No settling for one-size-fits-all—total flexibility No costly unnecessary and unwanted features Higher light transmission with same U-value Water management without adhesives and sealants Possibility of downsizing openings, yet the ability to gain more light Long lengths and fewer joints in polycarbonate eliminate leakage Exceptional flexibility for interior designs ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 47 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall: Canopies Multiwall is light and requires minimal structure. A variety of light transmission levels can be achieved with different products. Clear, corrugated polycarbonate ©2013 · Table of Contents Twin wall polycarbonate Slide 48 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall: Skylights Skylights use frames and systems similar to conventional plastics or glass. Light quality is greatly improved. Multiwall polycarbonate skylights have high impact resistance. Aerogel-filled skylights ©2013 · Table of Contents Clear, triple wall polycarbonate Slide 49 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall: Stadiums The light weight of multiwall polycarbonate makes it ideal for stadiums and large roof systems. Panel color can be adjusted to offer location-specific light levels within a stadium. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 50 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall: Interior In these examples, images were directly printed on 8mm sheets. These partitions divide employee workout and kitchen spaces. The images were designed by employees. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 51 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall: Interior Multiwall polycarbonate is ideal for interior signage and trade show booths. A variety of colors can offer unique branding opportunities. Because the sheets are translucent, they can be easily backlit. Clear 50mm tongue and groove multiwall polycarbonate Blue 40mm tongue and groove multiwall polycarbonate ©2013 · Table of Contents Custom color 40mm tongue and groove multiwall polycarbonate Slide 52 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Typical Polycarbonate Sheets Multiwall Sheet Designs Specialized Panels Tongue and Groove ©2013 · Table of Contents Standing Seam Slide 53 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall: Vertical Glazing ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 54 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall: Vertical Glazing The multiwall polycarbonate below is a 25mm twin wall with aerogel fill in a thermally broken aluminum frame. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 55 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Multiwall: Vertical Glazing For the stadium entrance below, a 50mm tongue and groove multiwall polycarbonate was used in the team color, orange. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 56 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Tongue and Groove Tongue and groove is used for vertical walls, office dividers, and industrial windows. It uses seamless connections to create an aesthetically flawless wall. Products are available in 20mm, 40mm, and 50mm thicknesses. For increased insulation and sound barrier properties, heavier gauge products should be used. By using minimal vertical framing, there are fewer thermal bridges. The reduction in aluminum framing also reduces cost and simplifies installation. Installation of blue 40mm tongue and groove multiwall polycarbonate ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 57 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Tongue and Groove Panels snap together, and the panels attach to the structural system via a clip (fix key). The loading requirements determine the number of clips and structural supports. Slide metal fastener clip in place Bolt clip to purlin Slide and click next panel in place ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 58 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Tongue and Groove: Vertical Glazing Vertical profiles are only needed at corners or transitions between materials. The height of the material is only limited by transportation and installation abilities. Because the panels are lightweight, it is possible to install long panels without heavy equipment. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 59 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Tongue and Groove: Vertical Glazing Office Building, Spain. Multicolor 40mm tongue and groove mulitwall polycarbonate. ©2013 · Table of Contents Utility Building, University of California Davis. Clear 40mm, thermally broken frame. Slide 60 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Tongue and Groove: Vertical Glazing Warehouse, De Pere, WI. Blue 40mm tongue and groove in simple aluminium frame. ©2013 · Table of Contents Warehouse, De Pere, WI. Blue 40mm tongue and groove in simple aluminium frame. Slide 61 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Standing Seam Polycarbonate Sheets Standing seam sheets are usually a nominal width and manufactured in a variety of long lengths. They are commonly used for skylights or canopies. They have polycarbonate battens which snap over the sheet edges, forming the seams with minimal framing. They are easy to install and air and water tight. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 62 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Standing Seam Polycarbonate Sheets As shown below, standing seam sheets have upturned legs at adjacent panels that interlock in a variety of ways. This type of polycarbonate system reduces the use of gaskets and sealants, minimizing chances for leakage. Compared to traditional translucent systems, standing seam construction provides ease of installation, increased impact protection, and high load capacities. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 63 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Standing Seam: Batten Types Battens and panels come in a variety of shapes and profiles. Round or square battens can be used to achieve different aesthetics. There are aluminum and polycarbonate battens. The internal structure of the panel will determine strength, visual characteristics, and thermal performance. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 64 of 72 • • About the Instructor About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Standing Seam: Performance Third-party testing in accordance with NFRC and other agencies is available for many multiwall polycarbonate products Results per NFRC compliant testing: Panel U-Value R-Value SHGC LT 20mm X wall Opal .34 2.94 .45 41 Additional third-party testing for 20mm 5x standing seam system: Title Result Test Air Infiltration < 0.01 cfm/ft2 ASTM E283 Water Penetration Resistance Pass,15 psf ASTM E331 Design Pressure 90 psf ASTM E330-02 Uniform Load Structural Test Pressure 135 psf ©2013 · Table of Contents ASTM E330-02 Slide 65 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Variable Standing Seam System While most standing seam and clip-together systems are only available in fixed widths, there are options for variable sizes. By using ultrasonic welding, it is possible to weld the polycarbonate legs onto a panel. This weld is as strong as a solid panel and allows different widths to be created without new dies. The stock sheets are cut to size before welding, allowing for a wide variety of materials and sizes. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 66 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Standing Seam: Deflection vs. Load Standing seam systems are extremely strong. With a variable width system, the max loading is determined by the panel width and purlin spacing. By maximizing the panel width, installation time is reduced. The panels can also be created to work with existing structures. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 67 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Standing Seam: Applications This application is a high school in Independence, Ohio. Several different panel widths were used on this project. Opal 20mm 5x wall, variable width panels ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 68 of 72 • • About the Instructor About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Standing Seam: Applications This pavilion in Pittsfield, MA was constructed by volunteers without the need for heavy machinery to lift panels into place. The 3'-0" wide standing seam panels work with a 3'-0" purlin spacing to create a grid pattern desired by the architect. Opal 20mm 5x, 3'-0" wide panels ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 69 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Summary ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 70 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Summary • Polycarbonate is a clear, colorless polymer created through a chemical reaction called polymerization. • The co-extrusion manufacturing process provides UV protection. This makes polycarbonate sheeting ideal for greenhouse and swimming pool enclosures as well as commercial skylights, canopies, and window applications. • In a standing seam sheet, the longitudinal edges of the sheet are bent perpendicular to the surface, forming a pair of 90-degree angles. The folded angles can be easily attached to other sheets, allowing for installation without aluminum extrusions; this reduces the thermal expansion issue. • Polycarbonate offers the industry’s widest applications of translucent daylighting technology in applications as shown, as well as walls, doors, partitions, curtain walls, clerestories, illuminated walls, and LED lighting. • Polycarbonate sheeting offers transparency, lightness, and thermal insulation and is noted for impact, fire, and weather resistance. ©2013 · Table of Contents Slide 71 of 72 • About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert Conclusion If you desire AIA/CES and/or state licensing continuing education credits, please click on the button below to commence your online examination. Upon successful (80% or better) completion of the exam, please print your Certificate of Completion. For additional knowledge and post-seminar assistance, please visit the Ask an Expert forum (click on the link above and bookmark it in your browser). If you have colleagues that might benefit from this seminar, please let them know. Feel free to revisit the AEC Daily web site to download additional programs from the Online Learning Center. ©2011, 2013 AmeriLux. The material contained in this course was researched, assembled, and produced by AmeriLux and remains its property. “LEED” and related logo is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission. Questions or concerns about this course should be directed to the instructor. Questions? Ask an Expert – click here Click Here To Take The Test powered by ©2013 · Table of Contents Exit Slide 72 of 72