PRODUCT INSTALLATION FEATURE
Curveline ATAS International Inc.
steel, 24- and 22-gauge panels. These are the same for architectural straight panels, as well, Bush notes. For a tighter curvature, Jones rec- ommends 24-gauge steel, which Berridge also prefers to work with. Jones also notes that 0.040-aluminum, which
has more mass, might allow some manufacturers to mechanically curve the panel to a tighter radius. “With more mass, the 0.040-aluminum can better withstand the stretching or compression that occurs when mechanically forming the panels,” he says.
5 Panel Length The length of a panel that can be curved may vary by
manufacturer and where the panels are being curved. There will be more limitations for panels curved in a factory versus those curved on the job site. Also, shipping coils to a job site for curving will allow for longer panels than if panels are shipped pre-formed. While Curveline can curve a panel up to 34
1/2 feet long in a factory, Michael Gorski, machine department manager at Englert Inc., Perth Amboy, N.J., says that they’ve seen panels curved up to 100 feet on the ground at a job site. But, if the panels are curved on the roof, the available space will determine the panel length. “The longer the panel, the more easily the
radius can be compromised if the panel is not allowed to conform to its natural shape as it exits the rollformer,” Schievelbein says. This means that when 3 feet of the panel have exited the machine, it will take much more force to bend or fl ex the panel than if 30 feet had exited the machine. “The panel acts as a lever arm, allowing longer panels to be more easily bent than shorter panels,” he adds.
30 METAL CONSTRUCTION NEWS October 2012
6 Radius of Curved Panels The minimum radius of the different types of
panels needs to be kept in mind when designing curved applications. Schievelbein explains that some of Berridge’s panels can be curved to a mini- mum radius of 20 feet, while others can be curved to a minimum of 4 or 8 feet. If a panel does not fi t the desired radius very
well, forcing it to conform risks buckling and/or waves in the vertical legs or panel pan. “It can also place a lot of stress on the fasteners and clips being used with the system, making the system more likely to come apart and fail over time,” he adds. Additionally, Schievelbein says mechani-
cally seamed panels are typically able to handle higher uplift loads and wind speeds than other panel systems. They can also be more difficult to curve to smaller radii. “When designing for coastal or other high wind speed areas, it’s best to determine the wind uplift requirements for that area to determine what type of panel is needed,” he explains. “Then determine the minimum radius the panel can handle and pro- ceed with the design accordingly.”
F7 Factory-Forming vs. On-Site orming Panels
While panels can be formed either in a factory or on the construction site, not all companies provide on-site curving options. Some, such as Curveline, only factory-form their curved metal panels. Panel length is one of the biggest concerns
for factory-formed panels since panels needs to fi t onto a standard tractor-trailer for shipment. “In the event the curvature is beyond what can be
Kalzip Inc.
transported, fi eld curving of the panels would be required,” Bush notes. When forming curved panels in a factory, it
is important to have enough space for the panel as it exits the machine. “Longer panels formed to a smaller radius will require more space to the side of the machine when existing than shorter panels formed to the same radius, or panels of a similar length formed to a larger radius,” Schievelbein says. Since it can be deceiving try- ing to guess where a panel will go as it exits the rollformer, he recommends allowing more space than expected. Getting the correct radius can also be an
issue with curving panels in a factory. “Contrac- tors must provide accurate radius dimensions,” Jones says. “No last-minute fi eld adjustments are possible.” (For more on curving panels on-site, see sidebar.)
8 Panel Appearance “As the appearance of metal panels often refl ects
the true fl atness of the metal deck, one must be aware that the curved substrate should be smooth and consistent,” Bush advises. “Care must be taken to ensure the as-built dimensions coincide with the actual construction drawings so that the fabricated panels fi t the construction.” Jones notes that often times, the lay-down
or walk-down method of curving will create an unsightly visual effect ranging from an oil-canned appearance to very visible crimps/creases at the fastener or clip locations. “Tighter substrates require a greater degree of force, which will result in an even more obvious unsightly panel appear- ance,” he adds.
www.metalconstructionnews.com
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