Load capacity of steel-aluminium brackets under static and cyclic laboratory tests

Abstract

The aim of the research is the laboratory investigation of steel-aluminium brackets employed to fasten lightweight curtain walls to building facilities. Static pressure, suction forces, and cyclic loads parallel to end plates (horizontal – to simulate wind influence) were applied in the study. The steel-aluminium brackets were tested on a reinforced concrete substrate made of C30/37 concrete class to simulate the real working conditions. Laboratory tests were performed to failure of the brackets or damage of anchoring fastened to the concrete elements. Additionally, the tensile capacity of stainless steel bolt connections screwed in aluminium profile was determined. The uniaxial tensile tests were performed for three length variants of the anchorage: 28 mm, 14 mm, and 7 mm of the stainless steel bars screw-in in threading aluminium profiles. In the course of cyclic tests, a hinge formed in the location of bolt connections made the change of the working character of steel-aluminium brackets. The cyclic tests also showed the danger of the strap aluminium profile displacement due to improper connection with the main aluminium profile. The paper is intended to provide scientists, civil engineers, and designers with an experimental assessment of mechanical properties of steel-aluminium brackets under static and cyclic loads.