Abstract
Curtain wall system of office buildings has recently become very common in Korea. As the multi-layer curtain glazing is exposed to outdoor environment, it is very subjected to direct environmental impact. Consequently, breakage and cracks of glazing due to heat expansion is frequently observed. This study explores various causes and aspects for destruction of multi-layer glazing. A sensitivity analysis was performed on the basis that thermal changes causes damage to the multi-layer glazing. Air temperature in air cavity within the multi-layer glazing was examined to find its effect on multi-layer glazing breakage. Analysis showed high deflection to depth ratio of 1:1.8 and that higher the aspect ratio, smaller is the deflection. Allowable pressure showed that the weakest value is for aspect ratio of 1:2.9. Sensitivity analysis by the area of the glazing showed that as area of glazing becomes higher, allowable pressure and deflection-depth ratio becomes smaller. For allowable pressure and allowable deflection-depth within air cavity, the glazing breakage occurred at least $107^{\circ}C$. The results from glazing breakage by thermal factor shows that it is hard to break the glazing with only an increase in air cavity temperature in multi-layer glazing applied in buildings.