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Introduction
- A series of TingWall mock-up tests were conducted in Taiwan with the sponsorship of the Interior Department of Taiwan Government. The test mock-up was fabricated and erected by China Wire & Cable Co. of Taiwan. The test mock-up structure is 10.9 meter high (3 stories) by 6 meter wide (5 mullion bays) with 45 TingWall panels including two operable window units. The purpose of the test was to evaluate the water-tightness performance with multiple water tests under the effects of multiple occurrences of various structural movements including wind loads, story drifts, and inter-floor deflections. The use of multiple series of tests represents a new concept of test to evaluate the durability of water-tightness performance. The tests were witnessed by a total of more than 80 professionals including Government officials, professors, architects, consultants, general contractors, and building owners.
Summary of Tests
- 12/29/04 : Three static water tests (ASTM E-331) were conducted at differential air pressures of 750 Pa (15.7 psf), 1250 Pa (26.1 psf), and 1000 Pa (20.9 psf).
- 01/03/05 : One static water test (ASTM E-331) and one dynamic water test (AAMA 501) were conducted at 750 Pa differential air pressure.
- 01/04/05 : Four wind load tests (ASTM E-330) were conducted at +125 kgf/m2 (25.6 psf), +250 kgf/m2 (51.2 psf), -200 kgf/m2 (41.0 psf), and ˇV375 kgf/m2 (76.8 psf). Followed by six cycles of story drift tests at L/200, then, followed by one dynamic water test and one static water test at 750 Pa (15.7 psf).
- 01/11/05 : Six cycles of story drift tests at L/200 followed by intended inter-floor deflection test (20 mm deflection). Due to operatorˇ¦s error, the movable beam was moved upwardly resulting in screw failures of the dead load plates at one mullion connection location. Without repairing the unintended damage, one dynamic water test and one static water test were conducted at 750 Pa (15.7 psf).
- 03/30/05 : One static water test (ASTM E-331) and one dynamic water test (AAMA 501) were conducted at 750 Pa differential air pressure. Four wind load tests (ASTM E-330) were conducted at +125 kgf/m2 (25.6 psf), +250 kgf/m2 (51.2 psf), -200 kgf/m2 (41.0 psf), and ˇV375 kgf/m2 (76.8 psf). Followed by intended story drift tests at L/200 (1.8 cm), however, due to equipment malfunction, the movable beam was pushed 5 cm shearing off the beam securing bolts. To the surprise of more than 20 persons witnessing the test, there was no visual damage to TingWall on the mock-up.
Additional water test will be conducted upon restoration of the movable beam.
- 04/15/05 : After the restoration of the movable beam without any repair to TingWall, the mock-up was subjected to more than 10 cycles of wind load tests during the machine operatorsˇ¦ training program. Right after the wind load cycles, one static water test (ASTM E-331) and one dynamic water test (AAMA 501) were conducted at 750 Pa differential air pressure. The tests results stunned many Government officials and experts witnessing the test.
As stated above, as of 4/15/05, the mock-up structure endured more than 18 cycles of wind load tests, 12 cycles of story drift tests at L/200, one accidental story drift at 5 cm, one wrongful inter-floor deflection test with some damage, 7 static water tests, and 5 dynamic water tests without any water leakage and without any repair. Up to date, the tests have proved the durability of TingWall performances and its unbelievable almost indestructible property due to the two machine operating accidents. Taiwan Interior Department intends to keep the mock-up for more future tests.
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