49115 Facade Engineering
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10066 Bachelor of Engineering Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
This subject is largely delivered by industry experts in facade engineering to bring a real world practitioner's perspective to the classroom. The subject introduces students to the concepts and techniques involved in facade engineering and their application to the design and procurement of a building facade. The intent of encasing a building structure with a facade is to control the internal environment of the building, providing comfort to the occupants and allowing maximum natural light and ventilation into the building. At the same time, a facade must also be designed to keep out adverse weather elements such as wind and moisture,and comply with energy and ESD requirements.
Topics include: the interrelationships between the law, contracts, and façade design documents; the various types of facade such as masonry, concrete, and glazed curtain walls, and the design principles that underpin their performance; and the assessment of wind loads, and the structural design of glass, aluminium, and structural adhesives, together with their compatibility and durability issues.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Identify the relationships that exist between the law, contracts, and façade design documents. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Identify the various types of facades such as masonry, concrete and glazed curtain walls. (D.1) |
| 3. | Explain the fundamental principles that underpin the performance of facades, and how those principles are applied in their design. (E.1) |
| 4. | Apply the principles learnt in structural engineering to building materials such as aluminium, glass and structural adhesives that are commonly used in facade construction, together with the compatibility and durability issues they must satisfy. (C.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
Teaching and learning strategies
Lecture mode sessions coupled with some tutorials will be used to explain difficult concepts and foster problem solving skills. Lectures are complemented with slide and video presentation to present state-of-the-art technology in Façade systems. As an example in the 3rd or 4th week students are expected to review an online video on the glass manufacturing process and in preparation for assessment task 2 discuss the different properties of glass in class with fellow students and the lecturer. A series of assignments are designed to encourage application of concepts to practical scenarios.
Students will be required to study prescribed reading material, attempt nominated exercise problems and complete online quizzes prior to attending the lecture according to the weekly teaching schedule. The weekly schedule can be found in the Canvas in the folder “Subject Information”. Important announcements will be issued by email via Canvas. Students will also need to check for lecture notes each week. This pre-reading material forms the basis for class discussions. Individual and group assignments, coupled with laboratory demonstration/testing will integrate the acquired knowledge through collaboration with fellow students. Discussion and feedback on the progress of assignment tasks is incorporated in class time.
As there are limited textbooks covering the course subjects, students are expected to attend and actively participate in all lecture sessions. Students are also expected to complete assessment tasks by their due dates.
Content (topics)
Types of facades; Function of a facade; Facade interface with other engineering disciplines; Industry overview; Approaches to weatherproofing, strengths and weaknesses; Concept of pressure equalisation; Contract basics; Performance versus prescriptive specifications; Role of the drawings; Role of specifications; Program issues; Testing/verification; Warranties; Masonry wall facades (cavity and solid walls); Precast concrete walls; Stone (granite, travertine, marble); Relevant design standards (AS 3700, AS 3600); Overview of window types used (punched, strip); Sealants used to seal joints; Overview of panelised versus stick wall system; Anatomy of a curtain wall; Materials used (glass, aluminium, stainless steel, composite aluminium panels, structural silicone, sheet metal); Basic principles of design; Types of loading (wind, differential building deflections, human impact); Types of fixings; Maintenance of curtain wall facade (building maintenance systems); General issues and common problems; Description of glass (toughened, heat strengthened, annealed); Vision panels (single glazed, doubled glazed, jockey sashes); Glass and energy; An overview of glass design with reference to AS 1288; An overview of aluminium design; An overview of designing composite aluminium panels; Structural silicone design; Prototype testing; Examples of defects; Investigation methodology; Representative inspections; Public risk issues; Legal implications; Guidelines for report writing; Traps for the unwary; Project examples.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Design Strategies Assignment (Design Delivery)
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students develop a strategic approach to address the risks associated with the design/documentation/installation process of facades. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | No more than 2 pages in length |
Assessment task 2: Building Movements Assignment & Weatherproofing Assignment
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students apply learnt concepts to solve for movements encountered in buildings at the structure/facade interface, and weatherproofing issues. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | No more than 6 pages in length |
Assessment task 3: Wind & Aluminium Design
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students apply learnt concepts to undertake a detailed analysis of wind loads and the structural design of aluminum components for use in facades |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | No more than 3 pages in length for each design assignment |
Assessment task 4: In Lecture Quiz
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students will be assessed on their understanding of the course. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 2 hr |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
The following references are recommended, but optional. BRANZ Bulletins, Practical Information for the building Industry http://www.branz.co.nz/main.php?page=Free%20Publications Endean, K F, Investigating Rainwater Penetration of Modern Buildings, Gower Publishing, 1995 (ISBN: 056607575X) ICBEST, International Conference of Building Envelope Systems and Technology Proceedings Rice, P, Dutton, H, Structural Glass, 2nd edn, Taylor and Francis Publishing, 1996 (ISBN: 0419199403)
Recommended texts
Recommended Reading: (Optional) 1. BRANZ Bullitins – Practical Information for the building industry 2. ICBEST – International Conference of Building Envelope Systems and Technology Proceedings
References
Recommended background reading & references will be issued during lectures