| Title |
Surface Temperature Distribution and Condensation Resistance of Curtain Wall Frames Under Varying Opening Ratios |
| Authors |
김재권(Kim, Jae-Gwon) ; 이선우(Lee, Sunwoo) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2025.41.9.255 |
| Keywords |
Curtain Wall; Thermal Bridge; Temperature Difference Ratio; Heat Transfer; Opening Ratio |
| Abstract |
Curtain walls are increasingly used in high-rise and residential buildings due to their structural efficiency and design flexibility. As windows account for 20 to 40 percent of building energy loads, condensation prevention has become a critical aspect of thermal performance evaluation. Currently, curtain wall systems are evaluated under the Regulations for the Promotion of High-Efficiency Energy Equipment in Buildings issued by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Condensation performance is typically assessed by calculating the Temperature Difference Ratio (TDR) through physical testing or ISO 15099-based computer simulations, following the Design Criteria for Condensation Prevention in Apartment Housing. However, no dedicated evaluation standard exists for curtain walls. The existing window-based approach does not fully account for the unique structural and material characteristics of curtain wall systems, such as the combined transom-mullion design and varied opening configurations. This study proposes an improved evaluation method that considers the thermal vulnerability of curtain walls resulting from differences in opening ratios. Two curtain wall specimens were fabricated and assessed using both physical testing and ISO 15099-based simulations. Surface temperature distributions at the frames and glass edges were analyzed, and high-resolution simulations along the entire vertical frame were conducted to identify thermally weak areas. Based on the findings, a revised TDR evaluation location is proposed to better reflect the influence of opening configurations on condensation performance. |