Performance evaluation and design of extruded aluminium wall cladding system subjected to wind driven debris impact-experimental and numerical investigation

Extruded aluminium panels are a popular choice for architects and builders due to their lightweight, cost-effectiveness, design flexibility, superior weather resistance, and acoustic performance. Despite their popularity, there is a significant gap in research regarding their structural performance under wind-borne debris impact. Hence, a research project was established at Griffith University, Nathan campus, to examine experimentally, the response of extruded aluminium panels subjected to the impact of timber projectiles. The main aim of the current paper is to develop design guidelines for engineers to predict the response of extruded aluminium cladding panels exposed to windborne debris impact. This research extends our previous work on plain solid aluminium panels subjected to impact loading, where we developed and validated design guidelines. The continuation of this work into extruded panels enhances the practical toolkit available to engineers in mitigating impact-related failures in architectural applications. The experimental and numerical results showed four impact phases: the peak impact force phase, vibration, plateau and unloading phase. It was found that peak force was controlled by impact energy and contact stiffness, while plateau force is dependent on global stiffness and influenced by the plate thickness, width and boundary conditions Through parametric sensitivity studies, a comprehensive data bank was created, leading to the formulation of regression equations. These equations, validated against the numerical models, provide a reliable alternative to experimental testing for predicting peak impact force, plateau force, and maximum deflection, thereby improving the predictability and safety of using extruded aluminium panels in construction.