Aluminum Beams with Composite Thermal Barriers: Recent Developments in Analysis (Part 1)

Abstract

Two recent developments in the analysis of aluminum-thermal barrier beams are presented in Part 1 of this paper. These beams are used in windows and curtainwalls to support glass lites. The thermal barriers are more flexible than the aluminum faces, and analysis methods that account for shear deformation are required. Part 1 includes: (1) New load case. For a simply supported beam, a closed-form solution for the case of two equal and symmetric concentrated loads has been developed. (2) Overhang effect. For a simply supported beam with a midspan concentrated load, an FEA study was conducted regarding the stiffening effect of overhangs for two profiles and shear moduli.

Keywords

• aluminum
• thermal barrier
• sandwich beam
• curtainwall
• shear deformation