Stress-strain state of U-shaped brackets of suspended facade systems

This article presents the results of the experimental studies of the full-scale samples of U-shaped brack-ets manufactured by INSI Steel Structures LLC for suspended ventilated facades (curtain walling). The relevance of the study is determined by the need to ensure the reliability and safety of facade systems exposed to wind loads. The goal of the work was to determine the actual bearing capacity and stress-related characteristics of U-shaped brackets of various sizes exposed to static and horizontal wind loads. This goal is achieved using the method of experimental testing of full-scale samples followed by the analysis of the obtained data. Experimental studies were supplemented by the finite ele-ment analysis (FEM) of the same brackets in the ANSYS software package. Both strength and strain characteristics were analyzed. During the experiment, 20 samples of two standard sizes of brackets with different cross-sections were tested. The comparison of the results of the FEM and field experiments allowed determining the maximum permissible load for each type of bracket, as well as confirmed simulation reliability. The obtained results are of practical impor-tance for the design of reliable and safe suspended facade systems.