Aluminium Frames for Commercial Buildings Course

Lesson 1 • Surface Treatments and Finishes

Introduces anodising, powder coating, and PVDF finishes applied to commercial framing. Connects finish selection to corrosion protection and aesthetic requirements.

Lesson 2 • Aluminium Alloy Families and Designations

Covers the four-digit alloy numbering system and major series used in framing. Establishes vocabulary for all subsequent material selection decisions.

Lesson 3 • Mechanical and Physical Properties

Examines tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and thermal expansion of framing alloys. Connects material data to structural and thermal performance expectations.

Lesson 4 • Aluminium vs. Competing Frame Materials

Compares aluminium to steel, wood, and fibreglass framing on weight, cost, and durability. Provides objective criteria for material selection in commercial projects.

Lesson 1 • Storefront Framing Systems

Covers low-rise, non-structural aluminium framing for ground-level glazed openings. Distinguishes storefront from curtain wall in terms of load path and water management.

Lesson 2 • Stick-Built Curtain Wall Systems

Covers field-assembled mullion-and-transom systems installed piece by piece. Establishes the baseline framing method against which unitized systems are compared.

Lesson 3 • Specialty and Hybrid Frame Systems

Surveys sloped glazing, skylights, canopies, and mixed-system facades. Prepares students to recognise non-standard configurations encountered on complex projects.

Lesson 4 • Unitized Curtain Wall Systems

Examines factory-assembled panel units that stack and interlock on site. Highlights speed, quality control, and high-rise suitability advantages.

Lesson 1 • Allowable Stress Design for Aluminium

Applies allowable stress design methodology to aluminium framing members under bending and shear. Connects alloy properties to code-compliant member sizing.

Lesson 2 • Thermal Movement Accommodation

Quantifies thermal expansion in aluminium frames and designs joints to absorb movement. Prevents frame distortion, glass breakage, and sealant failure from temperature cycles.

Lesson 3 • Deflection Limits and Serviceability

Establishes span-to-deflection ratios required for glazing integrity and occupant comfort. Teaches moment of inertia selection to control mid-span deflection.

Lesson 4 • Load Types Acting on Facades

Identifies wind, dead, live, seismic, and thermal loads relevant to aluminium framing. Establishes the load input basis for all subsequent structural calculations.

Lesson 1 • Thermal Break Technologies

Compares polyamide strut, poured-and-debrided, and foam-injected thermal break systems. Connects break geometry and material to achieved U-factor and structural retention.

Lesson 2 • Frame U-Factor Calculation Methods

Applies two-dimensional finite-element simulation and simplified methods to calculate frame U-factors. Enables students to verify compliance with energy performance requirements.

Lesson 3 • Condensation Resistance and Dew Point

Calculates interior surface temperatures and compares them to dew point to predict condensation. Guides frame selection and interior humidity control strategies.

Lesson 4 • Energy Code Compliance Strategies

Maps frame performance requirements to commercial energy code prescriptive and trade-off paths. Prepares students to document compliance during design and permitting.

Lesson 1 • Performance Testing Standards

Applies standardised air, water, and structural test protocols to evaluate framing system performance. Prepares students to specify and interpret mock-up and production test results.

Lesson 2 • Air Barrier Integration

Connects aluminium frame air seals to the building's continuous air barrier system. Addresses transition details at perimeter conditions and penetrations.

Lesson 3 • Water Management Design Principles

Introduces face-seal, drained, and pressure-equalised rainscreen strategies for aluminium frames. Establishes the hierarchy of water control layers used throughout the chapter.

Lesson 4 • Weep and Vent Hole Design

Details the placement, sizing, and protection of weep holes and vent openings in sill profiles. Ensures drainage without allowing wind-driven water re-entry.

Lesson 1 • Glass Types and Performance Properties

Surveys monolithic, laminated, insulating, and coated glass products used in commercial frames. Connects glass selection to structural, thermal, and acoustic performance targets.

Lesson 2 • Opaque Infill and Spandrel Panels

Integrates aluminium composite, glass spandrel, and insulated metal panels into framing systems. Addresses thermal, fire, and moisture performance at spandrel zones.

Lesson 3 • Structural Silicone Glazing Systems

Covers two-sided and four-sided structural silicone glazed (SSG) facade systems. Addresses bite calculation, cure time, and temporary retention requirements.

Lesson 4 • Dry Glazing with Structural Gaskets

Details zipper gasket and pressure plate dry-glazed assemblies for curtain wall and storefront. Covers installation sequence and quality control checkpoints.

Lesson 1 • Shop Drawing Preparation Standards

Establishes content, scale, and notation requirements for aluminium framing shop drawings. Connects drawing completeness to fabrication accuracy and RFI reduction.

Lesson 2 • Dimensional Inspection and Tolerances

Applies measurement tools and statistical sampling to verify fabricated frame dimensions. Establishes accept/reject criteria aligned with installation tolerance requirements.

Lesson 3 • Finish and Coating Quality Checks

Verifies anodise thickness, powder coat adhesion, and colour consistency on fabricated frames. Prevents field rejection of non-conforming finished components.

Lesson 4 • Frame Assembly and Fastening

Details screw, rivet, and mechanical fastener assembly of aluminium frame components. Covers torque specifications, thread engagement, and galvanic isolation.

Lesson 1 • Anchor Installation and Adjustment

Covers cast-in, post-installed, and weld-plate anchor installation with three-axis adjustment. Ensures frame alignment within specified tolerances before mullion erection.

Lesson 2 • Perimeter Sealing and Final Inspection

Completes the installation with perimeter sealant application, cleaning, and punch-list inspection. Produces closeout documentation including as-built records and test reports.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Installation Survey and Layout

Establishes control lines, benchmarks, and structural opening surveys before frame installation begins. Identifies out-of-tolerance conditions requiring correction before framing proceeds.

Lesson 4 • Glazing and Infill Panel Installation

Sequences glass and panel installation after frame erection to protect glazing and maintain weather seal. Covers setting block placement, gasket seating, and cap installation.