Study of New Granite Slab Geometries for Facade Cladding

Facade claddings are important for both functional and aesthetic purposes. Its design is an intricate process that encompasses science, art, and craft to resolve a myriad of problems. Claddings can influence how the property stands out in relation to its surroundings, adding aesthetic value and personality to every structure. The materials used in the facade cladding systems can be of any type. In its turn, the installation methods are adapted to the different types of materials used for the construction of the cladding system. The technical benefits of a well-designed facade-cladding project include shorter construction time, less labour requirement, and reduced maintenance cost. In Brazil, granite slabs are widely used for facade cladding. The most common pathology of stone cladding panels that cover a building is their detachment from the material they cover. In this study, new granite slab geometries are suggested to increase their adhesion (Anchorage) by interlocking the cladding plates. To verify the performance of the new geometries analyzed, simulations of their mechanical behaviour on the facade were performed by using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The bearing capacity of traditionally utilized rectangular granite slabs was compared with "L" and "S" shaped slabs. The results presented a substantial increase in the carrying capacity of the cladding system, demonstrating that the proposed geometries provide increased safety against its detachment.