Experimental Investigation of the Tensile Properties of Ventilated Facade Cladding with Bonded Joints

Currently, an increasing emphasis is being placed on the properties of walling systems and efforts are evidently being made to improve the aesthetic look of structures. Vented facade systems with bonded joints are a viable option. Nowadays, the vast majority of such facades utilise mechanical joints. However, facades with bonded joints are more than simply a convenient alternative. The following article, where the potential use of bonded joints in practice is investigated via experimental measurements, deals with this technology in more detail. The presented results are taken from a series of tests which conform to the requirements of relevant technical standards, particularly with regard to the test method. This article deals with the issues connected with testing the most critical element in the whole system – the bonded joint. For this purpose, “Cetris” cement-bonded particleboard was selected for use as cladding material, and a substructure made from aluminium alloy was chosen. Five types of adhesive were selected in order to find the most suitable bonding material. During the testing procedures, the suitability of the selected adhesives for the chosen combination of materials was tested, as was the assumption that the use of the most expensive sealant does not always provide the best results.