Abstract A rainscreen wall panel is provided having an air gap between an outer facing sheet and an insulating layer, the insulating layer being backed by a reinforced concrete supporting layer. The panel is constructed in a mold, spacers being used to maintain the air gap until the concrete has cured. The presence of the air gap enables the facing layer thermally to expand or contract or to bow under pressure independently of the concrete supporting layer. The air gap communicates with the ambient air, thereby ensuring that, under steady state conditions, the pressure in the air gap is substantially equal to the pressure of the ambient air. As a result of this pressure equalization, the facing sheet need only be designed to withstand those forces which might be created during unsteady state conditions, and during steady state conditions moisture will not seep through the facing sheet.
A prefabricated rainscreen wall panel comprising a precast reinforced concrete slab capable of withstanding forces to which the panel may be subjecteD, a rigid layer of thermal insulation over the outer surface of the concrete slab and fixed thereto, a rigid, decorative outer facing sheet extending over the layer of insulation, spaced apart anchors fixing the facing sheet to the concrete slab, a gap for circulation of air separating the facing sheet and the insulation layer, the reinforced concrete slab having a projection through the insulation layer, one of said anchors being embedded in said projection and in the facing sheet, the projection being separated from the facing sheet by a resilient pad, and a passageway through which the gap communicates with the atmosphere, the panel being in the form of a transportable unit and having means on the rear surface of the slab whereby the panel can be attached on a building structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A prefabricated rainscreen wall panel comprising a precast reinforced concrete slab capable of withstanding forces to which the panel may be subjecteD, a rigid layer of thermal insulation over the outer surface of the concrete slab and fixed thereto, a rigid, decorative outer facing sheet extending over the layer of insulation, spaced apart anchors fixing the facing sheet to the concrete slab, a gap for circulation of air separating the facing sheet and the insulation layer, the reinforced concrete slab having a projection through the insulation layer, one of said anchors being embedded in said projection and in the facing sheet, the projection being separated from the facing sheet by a resilient pad, and a passageway through which the gap communicates with the atmosphere, the panel being in the form of a transportable unit and having means on the rear surface of the slab whereby the panel can be attached on a building structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient pad constitutes a spacer defining the thickness of the air gap.