What are the key structural design considerations when specifying a curtain wall system for high-rise buildings?

Specifying a metal curtain wall system for high-rise buildings requires integrated structural consideration from the earliest design stages. For developments in the Gulf region, Dubai or Doha, and taller towers in Almaty or Bishkek, key parameters include: accurate wind-load analysis (including local gust and topographic amplification), building sway and inter-storey drift limits, anchor type and spacing, curtain wall weight and its distribution, and dynamic interaction between façade and primary structure. Engineers must validate that anchors and brackets transfer wind and gravity loads to the structural slab or beam without overstressing anchor plates or compromising concrete pull-out strength; this often necessitates cast-in embed plates, through-bolted anchors or heavy-duty toggle anchors with verified pull-out capacities. Movement joints must be detailed to accommodate thermal expansion, vertical deflection, and seismic drift while maintaining water and air-tightness; sliding anchors and slotted mullion connections are industry standard. Glass and infill support strategies should consider unitized panel weights and lifting/handling limits during installation. Deflection limits for mullions ensure glass integrity under service loads; engineers often limit mullion span-to-depth ratios and specify intermediate stiffeners for high-rise applications. Interface coordination with structural engineers, MEP, and façade engineers is essential to locate penetrations, building services, and installation tolerances. Finite element modelling or simplified hand-calculation checks should validate that the curtain wall system’s stiffness and loading paths are compatible with the building’s dynamic behaviour. When metal curtain wall manufacturers provide engineered shop drawings and anchor testing for local conditions—such as saline coastal exposure or large diurnal temperature swings typical of Middle East and Central Asia—the result is a safe, durable façade solution aligned with developer expectations.