This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and Innovation pro-gramme under grant agreement nº 636717

design elements from: www.freepik.com

What is IMPRESS?

IMPRESS is a 42-month EU funded research project aimed at developing a new range of prefabricated fa-çade panels for building renovation, which can sig-nificantly reduce the primary energy consumption of buildings dated between 1950 and 1975. Three differ-ent panel technologies are to be developed and the entire renovation process, from initiation to comple-tion, will be supported by a series of software tools and an optimized BIM methodology complying with BIM standards across Europe.

Foreword

We are happy to announce that the installation of the demo façades in Naples recently took place and that the first results have been acquired. The main pur-pose of this installation is to validate the various an-choring concepts that have been identified or were custom developed for the Hypucem panels. The building in question is located in the area of Mostra d’Oltremare. Supervised by Hypucem, the installa-tion took place using 2 walls of the building, one in the main building structure and another one in the perimeter.

Installation Objectives

Hypucem panels were installed using three different types of anchors:1) A custom designed adhesive-metal hybrid sys-tem. 2) A custom-made metallic anchoring system with a modular railing suspension structure.3) A commercial HALFEN solution.Besides the mechanical validation of the anchoring systems, the installation of the panels in Naples was also intended to provide elements to assess the fol-lowing objectives:-Mounting procedures identifying potential interfer-ences not recorded on virtual modelling and simula-tion.

-Validate the casting and machined dimensions of the Hypucem panels-Feasibility of application of sealants between panels-Application of finishing coating-Long-term stability and weather resilience.

Adhesive-metal hybrid anchoring system

The design of the adhesive-metal anchors is a purely experimental technology that is intended to demon-strate the reliability of adhesives for façade installa-tion. This experiment is meant to challenge well-en-trenched negative views concerning the suitability of adhesives for the construction industry. The anchors developed comprise a pair of metallic elements, one affixed over the existing façade, the second embed-ded in the Hypucem panel. In between the interface plates a double-sided high bound tape insures the mechanical connection, therefore carrying the entire weight of the panels and resisting horizontal actions as wind or earthquake accelerations. Furthermore, because of the lack of metal-to-metal contact the thermal transmission is significantly reduced at the anchoring point, thus solving an issue that current solutions entail.

Metallic anchoring system with suspen-sion structure

In order to specifically address seismic concerns that are very real in some countries across Europe, a fully metallic anchoring system was devised. This sys-tem comprises an upper and lower set of anchors as well as a light frame structure that covers the gap from slab to slab. The metallic anchors carry the load

Nº5 / January 2017

acting over the entire unit and transfer them to the structural elements over which they are installed. In such a manner, architectural elements as masonry infill walls are exempted from the supplementary loads and inertia that the installation of the new fa-çade entails. As for the support structure, the chal-lenge consisted in making it light but resistant, using commercial modular systems not requiring welding. The resulting structure is able to withstand the de-sign requirements and ease mounting procedures.

HALFEN solution

In order to establish a benchmark a commercial so-lution has been adapted, so as to be able to partially fulfil the design requirements. The solution chosen consists of a natural-stone set of fixings comple-mented with a steel support structure.

Short-term results

The installation of the custom designed solutions re-quired an expensive machining process of the Hypu-cem panels, so casting procedures should be further improved in order to deliver “out of the mold” panels meeting the geometric design tolerances, therefore eliminating or limiting the machining stage.As for the sealing joints, short-term results are fa-vourable, demonstrating that materials chosen are compatible with the production and mounting pro-cesses.As for the coating application, the coarse texture of the Hypucem panels provided a suitable surface that eased coating. Long-term testing along the duration of the project will provide evidence of the thermal expansion com-patibility of all those elements and their suitability to withstand real weather conditions.

Left: Adhesive-Metal anchoring system. Right: Metallic an-

choring system

What is next for IMPRESS?

By June 2017, the IMPRESS Consortium will meet in Warsaw for our 6-monthly meeting. The agenda for this meeting will focus on the incoming installa-tion in the demonstration buildings.

Market Square; Source: Barcex, wikipedia

CONSORTIUM visit us at: www.project-impress.eu