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Cladding system

What is cladding system ?

Cladding system is a method of enclosing a building structure by the attachment of elementscapable of spanning between given points of support on the face of the building, thus

elimination the necessity for a continuous background structure. So, this cladding system may

use for :

i. Keeping out of water

ii. Preventing under leakage

iii. Controlling light

iv. Controlling the radiation of heat

v. Controlling the conduction of heat

vi. Controlling water vapor

vii. Controlling sound

Picture 1 : Wall Cladding system at High Rise Office Building

Materials used for Cladding :

a) Heavy Elements

Can be designed to act as cladding to a structural frame, independent to

a structural frame, independent to the infill wailing.

Weight is usually reduced to a minimum by casting the body of the panel

as thin as possible

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Main reinforcement is concentrated in the ribs, the tinner body of the

panels being lightly reinforce with galvanized wire oe left unreinforced in

many cases

Panels may be cast in factories or on site, and in either case joints must

be provided adequate tolerance ( + or 5mm )

Jointing is the crucial part of the installation example : Precast concrete panel

Picture 2 : Building that use Heavy elements of cladding that is Precast concrete

panel as a wall cladding system

b) Lightweight elements

System of cladding comprising a frame or rigid of members fixed to the

surface of the structure, usually at each floor level.

Infilling of panels, glazed or solid, as may required to perform the

functions of window and wall

It should fulfill the same functional requirements of an external walling.

Main problem lies on the framework which holds the panels which is

normally metal or timber.

The main members are vertical and are fixed to and span between the

floor slabs or beams.

Horizontal members, heads, cills and transoms are fitted between the

verticals.

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Example : Metal, plastic, asbestos, glass fibre reinforced cement profile

sheetings or glass curtain walling.

Picture 3 : Building that use lightweight elements of cladding that is glass curtain walling as a

wall cladding system

Methods of Installation :

For a cladding system, the method of installation depends on the material that are use to

be a wall cladding

All of the material use usually install one by one in a row and panel by panel

Factors of Selection :

i. Structural cost

Can be between 5% - 20% of the total construction cost

ii. Local Authority Requirement

Fire rated cladding

The designed must be compatible with the surrounding

iii. Environmental criteria

Provided healthy purposes and protect from weather or pollution

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iv. Aesthetic Criteria

The design concept and appereance of the wall gives the building exterior more

attractive.