This article describes the characteristics of one type of sealing system used in warm edge glazing units and analyses the possible causes of damage. Attention was focused on the performance of the dual seal, PIB/silicone system. This type of glazing is widely used for modern curtain walls and roofs of office buildings and shopping centres. Study was focused on PIB displacement defects, which affects both the appearance and thermal performance of the curtain wall system. Wide-ranging field surveys were conducted to examine the problems identified in some office buildings. The information gathered in this way was used to identify the critical areas and causes of seal displacement in the analysed insulating glass units (IGUs). Laboratory tests were conducted on PIB and silicone seals retrieved from the removed defective units. The properties of these materials were determined and used to evaluate the applied edge sealing system and build a representative numerical model. Due to the problems encountered in deriving accurate analytical formulas, finite element (FE) approximation was used as a problem solving tool. The generated FE model and strain analysis were the key parts to obtaining a true representation of the actual behaviour of IGUs subjected to various environmental loads, taking into account the influence of the air cavity. Results of computer simulations and laboratory tests were compared for model validation. The effect of changes in ambient pressure was examined, showing the development of tensile strains in the silicone and PIB, which can lead to debonding. The greatest principal strains occur at the silicone/butyl rubber interface and this location should be considered to be the most susceptible to failure. The observations are summarised in the final conclusions. Additionally, as field study showed, after ten years in service, the percentage of damaged units is considerable. More frequent IGUs inspection should cover both appearance and thermal imaging to detect unsealed panels. From the standpoint of both durability and appearance, dual silicone/PIB should be phased out in favour of modern seal systems.

The paper presents a method of structural monitoring with the use of angular and linear displacement measurements performed using inclinometer and laser measuring devices. The focus is mainly on the inclinometer measurement method, which is a solution free from the basic disadvantages of optical methods, such as sensitivity to any type of visibility restrictions, pollution or influence of weather conditions. Testing of this method was carried out in practical application in an wireless monitoring system, installed in a large-area industrial building. The measurement results performed using the inclinometers were compared with simultaneous measurements of linear displacements performed with the use of proven methods based on laser rangefinders. The research and analysis show that the method of measuring angular displacements using the inclinometers with MEMS sensors of appropriate quality is a very good, better than typical optical methods, solution of structural monitoring systems that allows to obtain accurate and reliable results.

This article presents a study of a wall cladding system composed of stainless steel subframe and composite, fibre-reinforced concrete cladding panels, which was been installed on a high-rise public building. The study focused on the assessment of strength, safety and durability of design through laboratory tests and numerical analyses. The laboratory tests were conducted using a threedimensional tests stand and a full-scale mock-up of the wall cladding system built at the laboratory using the actually used materials and cladding panels. The boundary conditions and the test loads corresponded to the values of actions determined during the engineering phase of the high-rise building under analysis. Noteworthy, wind actions were verified by supplementary wind tunnel testing. In addition, the stainless steel was also tested to determine the strength properties of the material actually used in construction. These test were carried out just before commencement of the curtain wall installation. The 3D model was constructed with the application of the finite element method (FEM) to obtain adequate representation of geometry, material performance and structural behaviour of the analysed wall cladding system. Particular attention was paid to determination of the parameters defining the behaviour of the cladding system sub-frame from the angle of plastic deformations of the stainless steel and the resulting failure mechanisms of the members of the structure itself. To this end, the stainless steel was subjected to appropriate performance tests to determine material properties including the values of the proportionality limit and yield strength.

The paper presents a method of structural monitoring using measurement of vertical displacements realized optically by horizontally directed laser beam. A measuring device with an integrated rangefinder and inclinometer sensor was developed. Inclinometer sensor are used to correct measurement results of the rangefinder in order to eliminate errors resulting from spatial position changes of the laser beam. Such a solution was adopted as an alternative to a more complex and demanding method, which is the stabilization of the laser beam orientation. The proposed inclinometric correction method allows in a simple and clear way to eliminate a serious problem of the displacement measurement method with a perpendicularly directed laser beam, which is inevitable in practice the lack of permanent stability of the measuring device position. The developed measuring device is wireless, both in terms of power supply and communication with other elements of the monitoring system. In order to verify the correctness of measurements carried out by the developed device, on site tests were carried out in two industrial-warehouse buildings with functioning monitoring systems using other measurement methods, earlier verified. The tests confirmed compliance with the indications of the existing system at a level completely sufficient for structural monitoring system purposes. The conducted research show that the proposed method of displacements measurement with inclinometric correction of errors, provides accurate and reliable results, allowing also to obtain additional information about the behaviour of the structure in the place of installation of the measuring device.

The article presents the influence of various technical solutions used in large-area warehouses on the risk of roof overload with rainwater. It discusses the specific nature of rainwater impact on the structure and the influence of the building's architectural and structural design on the distribution of roof water loads and the creation of conditions conducive to excessive water accumulation in specific roof areas. The issue of shaping roof drainage is presented in the entire scope of water drainage from the roof, from its collection by roof inlets, through flow in the installation, retention and discharge to the external storm water or combined sewer system. Particular emphasis is placed on the subordinate role of roof drainage systems in relation to the building's function and the resulting structural design. Conclusions are formulated regarding the consideration of rainwater loads on roofs, both in terms of structural design and drainage design, as well as the correlation between these areas.