That spec for thermal expansion in aluminum frames actually matters

Been drafting aluminum storefronts for 6 years and always skimmed over the thermal expansion notes. Read a report from the Aluminum Association last night that said a 40 foot frame can shift nearly 1/4 inch between a 50 degree temp swing. Now I get why my old mentor had me design those expansion joints so tight. Anyone else ignore a detail for years then find out it was critical?

2 comments

2 Comments

elizabethwhite15d ago

Wait, so all those gaps I thought were mistakes actually made me look smart?

casey_lane7315d ago

And that's why we also have to torque the bolts before the frame fully cools.