Define ACP panel dimensions and material
ACP deflection refers to the bending or deformation of an Aluminum Composite Panel when subjected to external loads, primarily wind pressure. When wind acts on a building facade, the ACP cladding panels experience pressure that causes them to bend inward or outward from their original flat position. This bending displacement, measured in millimeters, is called deflection.
The maximum deflection typically occurs at the center of the panel and depends on several factors including panel dimensions, thickness, support conditions, and the magnitude of wind load. According to facade engineering standards, the permissible deflection is usually limited to span/60 or span/100 depending on aesthetic and structural requirements.
Calculating ACP panel deflection is critical for safe and aesthetically pleasing facade design. Here's why every architect, structural engineer, and facade consultant must perform deflection analysis:
This calculator uses plate theory equations based on ALPOLIC technical standards for aluminum composite panel design. The stress and deflection are calculated using coefficients α (deflection) and β (stress) that vary based on panel aspect ratio and support conditions.
Key Formulas:
When ACP panels exceed recommended span limits or when deflection exceeds permissible values, aluminum stiffeners are attached to the back of the panel to provide additional rigidity. Common stiffener profiles include:
ACP (Aluminum Composite Panel) is widely used in modern architecture for:
For 4mm ACP panels with 4-side support and moderate wind loads (1.5 kPa), the maximum recommended span is typically 1000-1200mm. For larger spans, aluminum stiffeners are required to control deflection.
Wind load depends on basic wind speed (from wind zone maps), building height, terrain category, and topography. Consult IS 875 Part 3 for India, ASCE 7 for USA, or EN 1991-1-4 for Europe. Typical facade wind loads range from 1.0-3.0 kPa.
The industry standard permissible deflection is span/60 for general applications. For high-end architectural facades requiring flat appearance, span/100 or even span/150 may be specified.
4mm ACP is the most common choice for external cladding. 3mm is used for interior applications and signage. 6mm provides extra rigidity for large panels or high wind zones and is often used in tall buildings above 50 meters.
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