Webinar

Expanding Our Understanding of Building Movement and Facade Joint Design

Expanding Our Understanding of Building Movement and Facade Joint Design

Joints within the building enclosure play a critical role in a facade’s overall performance and durability. Just like mechanical or electrical components, facade joints are vital parts of a building system – the enclosure system – and require thoughtful design. The design of facade joints must account for various construction tolerances and in-service building movements caused by temperature changes, occupancy loads, wind and seismic forces, and other phenomena to maintain the building enclosure’s air, water, and vapor continuity. Underestimating the importance of facade joint design can allow air and water infiltration and lead to premature failure. In this webinar, we will explore the building movements and tolerances that affect facade joints and discuss how to appropriately design joints to accommodate them.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the various movements and tolerances that affect facade joints.
  • Understand how to combine movements and tolerances to design facade joints.
  • Describe the various types of facade joints.
  • Understand the process for sizing joints for various facade systems.

Participants will earn 1.0 AIA CES Learning Unit (LU/HSW) for attending the live webinar. Registration is free. Please note that space is limited – email events@sgh.com to join our waitlist if the session is closed when you register.

About the Speaker

John  Jackson
John Jackson | Associate Principal

John Jackson specializes in facade and building enclosure design, combining his degrees in both architecture and structural engineering. He applies his creative and technical skills to designing and engineering innovative enclosure systems, having worked on a wide variety of projects both domestically and abroad, with particular expertise in curtain walls, custom glazing systems, structural glass, and glass investigations. John is an active member of the ASTM Subcommittee E06.52 on Glass Use in Buildings and regularly lectures on building enclosure design. In addition, John is part of an industry research project for the Charles Pankow Foundation, led by SGH, studying thermal performance of spandrel assemblies in glazing systems, including analytical modeling and empirical testing, endeavoring to address unknowns within the industry to help inform and develop future standards and codes. 

Emily Appelbaum
Emily Appelbaum | Structural Engineering Division Head, Washington, DC

Emily is an active leader, collaborator, and problem solver who specializes in structural analysis, renovation, and design solutions across a range of sectors, including healthcare, education, and government. By prioritizing listening and conversation with her clients and partners, Emily is adept at moving projects forward and making a positive learning environment for team members. She is passionate about seeking creative and efficient solutions across the industry and gives back in many ways, including her contributions to industry standards through her involvement with the ASCE 7-22 Load Combinations subcommittee; her focus on mentorship at work; and her planning and engagement efforts as a Trustee on the Board of a local day school in Washington, DC.