We test façade elements and construction materials, including product classification, professional engineering and validity evaluation services. We test and evaluate structural physics and design criteria befitting international standards. These criteria are then compared to the relevant standards (Air, Water, Wind, Sound, Heat, Seismic, Impact, and Corrosion). We also test performance requirements of new or existing projects and compare the performances of façade and structural elements.
In Air Permeability Tests, the air infiltration of curtain walls and doors / windows is measured for both fixed and open able elements according to EN 12153 and EN 1026. During the tests, the sample is subjected to both positive and negative pressures reaching up to 10 000 Pa in façade samples and 5000 Pa in window / door samples. Air penetration intensity is expressed as m³ / hour. The results of the tests are defined as air permeability per unit area and air permeability per unit length of sealing as m³ / h.m² and m³ / h.m respectively.
In Water Penetration Tests, water penetration in curtain walls and doors / windows is measured for both fixed and open able elements in compliance to EN 12155 and EN 102. During the tests, the sample is subjected to positive test pressure applied at fixed intervals and with increased pressure, so that a certain amount of water is applied to the surface to form a continuous layer.
In Wind Load Tests, resistance of curtain walls and doors / windows against wind load is determined under positive and negative wind pressures for both fixed and openable elements according to EN 12179 and EN 1221. During this test, a series of positive and negative test pressures reaching 10 000 Pa in specified intervals are applied to the test sample. For each test pressure, measurements are made to evaluate resistance to damage from wind loads and to assess perpendicular deflection on the surface. The deflection should be less than L / 200 or 15 mm.
Dynamic Pressure / AAMA 501-1
In this test an airplane engine gene rates wind velocities up to 45 m / sec, which throws spray water coming from a specially designed system onto the sample. As the result, the locations of water penetration (if any) are recorded and added to the report.
Dynamic Pressure / AAMA 501-1
In European norm instead of an airplane engine propeller, electrical motor driven fun is used. Special spraying nozzles are capable of spraying 2 to 500 litres of water per minute, and this water is then thrown on to the test sample via wind from a special fan pipe couple at speeds of 108 km / h. The mockup is observed from the inside during the test to discover if the water penetrates, and the exact locations where it does.
Dynamic Pressure / AAMA 501-1
These tests can be classified as “hard body” and “soft body” tests and can be
applied on façade, window / door, skylight and balustrade systems. Respectively
for each test, either a mass of 50 kg. consisting of two rubber wheels around a
steel bore, or a sack full of glass marbles weighing 50 kg. is swung to the test
sample via standard pendulum movement.
The applied energy is the
potential energy gained by letting go of the bag and allowing it to impact on
the glass. This is expressed in Joule ( J ) units. Up to 1200 J can be applied
on the sample as part of this process. The impact test can be performed on the
inner or the outer surface of the test sample, for the test to be successful,
there should be no permanent deformation nor any residual debris on any part of
the test sample.
These tests can be classified as “hard body” and “soft body” tests and can be
applied on façade, window / door, skylight and balustrade systems. Respectively
for each test, either a mass of 50 kg. consisting of two rubber wheels around a
steel bore, or a sack full of glass marbles weighing 50 kg. is swung to the test
sample via standard pendulum movement.
The applied energy is the
potential energy gained by letting go of the bag and allowing it to impact on
the glass. This is expressed in Joule ( J ) units. Up to 1200 J can be applied
on the sample as part of this process. The impact test can be performed on the
inner or the outer surface of the test sample, for the test to be successful,
there should be no permanent deformation nor any residual debris on any part of
the test sample.
The seismic behaviors of façade systems are tested with three dimensional pneumatically seismic test units in accordance to AAMA 501.4 and AAMA 501.6. Horizontal displacements between two floors up to 150 mm and in dynamic tests, frequencies of 0.4 and 0.8 Hertz can be applied onto the samples. As a result, any risks of falling glass and permanent deformations are looked for, and if found, recorded to the report.
This test consists of two adjacent rooms with an opening in between for the
sample to be installed. In one of the rooms (source room) noise is produced and
noise level in the other room is measured. After the sample is checked
thoroughly for leakage, the noise level of the rooms with the source and
receiver are measured and the difference is found.
All measurements are
done at the third octave and 50-5000 Hz frequencies according to ISO 10140-2,
and as a result, a final value describing the general acoustical performance is
found.
The facility consists of four adjacent rooms which allow the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal sound transmission to be measured.
This test serves to observe fatigue mechanical resistance and permanent deformation of window / door systems after a specific amount of opening and closing cycles.
With this Fire resistance test (EN 1364-1) which made in collaboration with Efektis ERA / Eurasia company, the destructive non-linear effects are surveyed on the curtain wall mock-up with following criteria; time, energy integrity and thermal insulation.
In this test, buckling analysis of glass mullions which covers very high apertures is carried out. First, the bending moment is calculated as it occurs in the full size mullion. Then a buckling force, calculated on a small scale prototype using the original bending moment of the full size mullion scaled down in proportion, is applied to the prototype and whether there is breakage due to buckling or not can be observed.
Mechanical Durability of Silicon Elements
Tests
The guarantee of endurance for Structural Silicon Façade
Systems against aging is provided by tests which are carried out in climatic aging and
ultraviolet light application cabins. To check if the silicon bonding process has been
applied properly between the glass and aluminum profile, samples are taken at fixed
intervals during the production process and are tested according to international norm
ETAG 002. The production process is checked daily, using tensile testing and rupture
test equipment. Furthermore, our silicon application process has been approved by the
French CSTB organization. European Technical Approvals Publications ETAG 002 and CSTB
3488.
EN 13051, AAMA 501.2 - 03 Water Penetrations of
Façade Systems
According to the EN 13051 norm, with this on site test,
a fixed volume of constantly flowing water is sprayed onto the outer surface of the
newly installed curtain wall, and a continuous water flow is
maintained.
EN 13829 Air Permeability and Thermal Performance Test under
Dynamic Pressure
This test measures the air permeability of the whole
or some part of a building according to the EN 13829 standard. 50 Pascals of pressure
difference is applied on the system to be tested with a special fan, and if the
resulting air exchange value exceeds 3 m³ / hr, the test is considered a
failure.
ISO 140 - 5 On - Site Testing of Airborne Sound Insulation
Value
With this test, the real on site sound reduction value of a
façade element is measured. Sources distanced 5 metres from the façade create a stable
field of sound between 50 and 5000 Hz, and after the receptors measure the echoes, a
final average sound absorption value is calculated.