This testing was performed on a glass curtain wall supported by CRL FMH series spider
fittings with half mounted to glass buttress fins and half to tubular steel posts. The
purpose of the test wall prototype was to test the components in a completed typical
assembly to evaluate system strength in accordance with ASTM E330 - 02 Standard Test
Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain
Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference. This test is to determine the structural
performance of the glass and spider fitting system under static air pressure to simulate
wind loading. In addition the wall was tested for lateral drift in accordance with AAMA
501.4-09 and AAMA 501.6-09 to verify the allowable horizontal displacement for
seismic performance to show compliance with ASCE/SEI 7-05 section 13.5.9.
200 pound concentrated load (1 sf) any direction, any location on the wall
Live load 5 psf uniform load perpendicular glass, full area.
Wind Load (28.2 psf for test set up) (110 mph 3 sec gust exposure B)
Seismic loads – drift minimum of 0.0125* story height = 3” for test wall
tested drift = 4.5” for test specimen
For these conditions the system meets all applicable requirements of the 2006
International Building Code as adopted in the 2007 California Building Code. The wall
strength and performance was verified by testing prepared by Smith-Emery Laboratories
report number L-10-1477 dated August 27, 2010.
Calculations Page
Test Sequence/protocol 2
Wall glass loads 3
Glass strength 4
Buttress Fin 5 -6
Steel Pipe 7
Deflections 8
Spider fittings 9 – 10
Base Shoe 11 - 14
Edward Robison, P