Digital simulation of wind field velocity for evaluating proper stiffness indicators of window mullions

Mullions are important structural windows elements that provide their resistance to wind forces. These elements are of fundamental importance for the energy balance of the building since their structural behavior deeply affects its energy losses. A proper structural design of the windows mullions is therefore important for evaluating a suitable stiffness indicator of the mullions to avoid energy losses. In the present paper, a parametric study aiming to investigate the wind-induced displacements of the window mullions and their compatibility with their thermal barrier has been conducted. The proposed study aims to evaluate a proper moment of inertia of the aluminum profiles forming the mullions as a function of the windows exposition for different wind forces depending on the elevation of the building in which the window has been installed.