Innovative reinforced aluminium alloy curtain walls: Numerical analysis and experimental validation

Aluminium curtain walls are a prevalent choice for the building facade due to their lightweight nature, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic qualities. However, the high deformability of aluminium alloys poses challenges in meeting serviceability requirements under wind and seismic loads, particularly building sway. This study investigates a novel reinforced aluminium curtain wall profile designed to overcome these limitations. The research introduces an innovative prestressed aluminium alloy profile, internally reinforced with tensioned steel cables. Both numerical simulations and experimental validation are presented. Multiple reinforcement configurations are analyzed to determine the optimal arrangement for enhancing stiffness and structural strength. Nonlinear finite element analyses, conducted using ABAQUS, assess the sensitivity to the number and placement of reinforcing cables. The most effective configuration identified through simulation is selected for subsequent experimental testing. from the simulations indicate up to an 86% reduction in deflection compared to conventional aluminium profiles. Experimental validation showed a 5% increase in structural stiffness, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed reinforcement system. These enhancements in lateral drift control and load-bearing capacity demonstrate the potential of the proposed solution to balance structural performance. • A new aluminium curtain wall profile reinforced with prestressed steel cables was developed to improve stiffness. • Numerical simulations showed up to 86% deflection reduction compared to unreinforced profiles. • Among the tested configurations, M2 performed best at low and moderate prestressing levels. • Experimental tests confirmed improved stiffness, despite limitations in cable size and tensioning. • Prestressing levels from 20% to 50% showed nonlinear performance gains, especially at higher levels. • Future research is needed to optimize prestressing, validate long-term behavior, and support standardization.