Subframe for aluminium honeycomb panels

Subframe for aluminium honeycomb panels

An aluminium honeycomb panel has two thin aluminium skins bonded to a core of aluminium honeycomb. The result is a sheet around 20 mm thick that is as stiff as a much heavier plate while weighing roughly 4 to 5 kg/m2. This makes it ideal for very large flat panels, long spans and buildings where weight is critical, such as roof-top additions and refurbishments of lightweight structures.

Advantages

• Very large formats with great flatness
• Light load on the structure and the subframe
• High rigidity, so there is little oil-canning
• Non-combustible metal construction in suitable versions
• Wide range of coatings, including wood, stone and metallic effects

Subframe approach

Panels are generally hung on rails with back-fixed profiles or inserts bonded into the panel. The rail grid follows the panel module, and fixing points are located by the manufacturer's recommendations. Because panels are so light, brackets can be spaced further apart than for heavy cladding, but wind suction on large flat areas is often the governing case and must be calculated.

Design points

• Panel edges are exposed, so edge closures and trim profiles are important.
• Large panels are heavy to handle in plan size even though their weight per area is low; plan the lifting and installation sequence.
• Joint widths allow for thermal expansion of the large formats.
• Use stainless steel or coated fasteners and separate dissimilar metals.
• Fire performance depends on adhesives and core type, which should be confirmed in project documents. Facades above 12 m in Georgia are reviewed under Chapter 14 of the Building Safety Rules.

Pricing is on request. Send us your elevations and we will prepare a panel layout and calculation.

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