A thorough protocol to study and develop constructive systems of façades

Abstract

In the Department of Construction Science, we have developed and documented a specific model of systematized process in order to carry out activities of R&D&I oriented to a detailed design of constructive systems of innovative façades. This specific model will be used as a guide for the study, analysis, design and evaluation of the proposed solutions for façades. This model of systematized process of research provides a general idea of the set of stages and activities in the processes of R&D&I, with a graphical map and a documentary structure that describes how all the process works, step by step, facilitating its comprehension and application. The protocol details the key procedures within the global process. This protocol allows elaborating the programme of necessities derived from the conditionings, requirements and demands related to every specific façade, assisting with the definition of the technical characteristics of its parts and components to approach the conceptual and graphical design of constructive solutions, in successive stages. This protocol provides the means to analyze and evaluate every particular design of façade and the process of R&D&I that has been followed, so that it allows to justify and demonstrate the fulfilment of the requirements and demands that concern every stage of the complete life cycle of façades, and to identify fields that could be improved in the R&D&I process, in order to apply corrective actions. This protocol is complemented by some Supporting Technical Documents, where the scientific and technical criteria and the information from compulsory regulations that are necessary to take decisions in the design progress, are developed. On the whole, it is a useful tool that allows rapid availability of knowledge and rigorous information related to the process of R&D&I, to the constructive systems of façades and to the activity of the diverse agents involved in the building process.