Ethelene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) assembly is utilized on thousands of structures worldwide in both wall and roofs/skylight applications. It is used in multiple configurations, including the “pillow” configuration explored in this paper, and was installed at the Beijing National Aquatics Center (2008) (nicknamed the Watercube), the Eden Project in the United Kingdom (2001), Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi (2010), and U.S. Bank Stadium (home of the Vikings) in Minnesota (2016). Although the ETFE assembly can be used in lieu of traditional glazing and can be compared to traditional curtain wall or skylight assemblies in several ways, it also varies significantly from traditional glass glazing. Namely, it is a fraction of the weight, is transparent to ultraviolet and long-wave radiation (unless coated to perform otherwise), and responds to structural loads much differently than glass. This paper provides an overview of the ETFE pillow assembly, explores design and quality-assurance considerations for the assembly during construction, and draws on two case studies to demonstrate testing methodologies related to bulk water penetration: structural performance and deflection of the pillow assembly.
Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) is not a new concept, and many documents, standards, and codes reference or attempt to define it. References to and discussion of BECx can be found in myriad documents, from codes such as the International Green Building Code (IgCC) and California Title 24 to voluntary standards such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4. The process is discussed in detail in the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), Guideline 3, and referenced in ASHRAE 202 (ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 202-2013, Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems). It is used on a wide variety of projects both private and public, and various entities also have their own requirements or approaches to BECx. Further, the process is intended to be possible regardless of project or owner type or project delivery method. However, the applicability, efficiency, and even viability of BECx for a design-build project is frequently questioned and challenges to effective BECx in design-build are cited. Further challenges can be raised when multiple BECx requirements come into play or where there are multiple entities, such as multiple government agencies, involved in the project. This paper will discuss the challenges as well as the benefits of implementing BECx on a design-build project for the federal government with multiagency involvement, specifically through the lens of two projects developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for a federal agency using the ASTM E2813, Standard Practice for Building Enclosure Commissioning, enhanced process.
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