Miami-Dade Curtain Wall Wind Engineering

High-rise facade wind load calculations for HVHZ compliance. Unitized and stick-built systems engineered to 180+ mph with full pressure cascades.

180+
MPH Design Speed
±95
PSF Max Pressure
60
Story Capacity
Wind Load Component Cascade
Pressure buildup by height zone (50-story reference)
+28
Base Qz (0-30ft)
+15
Low Zone (30-100ft)
+18
Mid Zone (100-300ft)
+22
High Zone (300-500ft)
+12
Top Zone (500ft+)
=95
Total Design PSF
Pressure Addition
Final Design Pressure

Curtain Wall System Types

Compare unitized and stick-built facade systems for Miami-Dade HVHZ high-rise applications.

Unitized System

Factory-Assembled Panels
  • Pre-glazed units with factory quality control
  • Faster installation – 15-20 panels/day/crew
  • Better weather protection during construction
  • Interlocking split mullion connections
  • Easier replacement of damaged units
±95
PSF Max Pressure
6-8"
Mullion Depth

Stick-Built System

Field-Assembled Components
  • On-site assembly of mullions and glass
  • Greater flexibility for complex geometry
  • Lower shipping costs for remote sites
  • Continuous mullion runs possible
  • More field labor intensive
±95
PSF Max Pressure
8-10"
Mullion Depth

Height-Based Pressure Zones

Wind pressure increases with building height. Select a zone to see detailed requirements.

Pressure by Elevation

ASCE 7-22 velocity pressure coefficients (Kz) increase with height above ground level. Corner zones require approximately 50% higher pressures than field-of-wall areas at all heights.

0 - 30 ft (Ground)
Floors 1-3
±65 PSF
30 - 100 ft (Low)
Floors 4-10
±72 PSF
100 - 300 ft (Mid)
Floors 11-30
±82 PSF
300 - 500 ft (High)
Floors 31-50
±90 PSF
500+ ft (Top)
Floors 51+
±95+ PSF

Technical Requirements

FBC 2024 and Miami-Dade specifications for high-rise curtain wall systems.

Impact Testing

  • Large missile: 9-lb 2×4 at 50 fps
  • Small missile: 10 steel balls at 80 fps
  • TAS 201, 202, 203 compliance
  • Cyclic pressure after impact
  • Glass retention verification

Mullion Requirements

  • Aluminum 6063-T6 or 6061-T6
  • Wall thickness: 0.125" - 0.250"
  • Thermal break for coastal zones
  • Deflection limit: L/175 or 3/4"
  • Stack joint movement: ±1/4"

Glass Specifications

  • Laminated with 0.090" PVB minimum
  • Heat-strengthened outer lite preferred
  • IGU: 1" typical insulated units
  • Structural silicone for SSG systems
  • Edge bite: 1/2" minimum

Documentation

  • Miami-Dade NOA required
  • PE-sealed shop drawings
  • Structural calculations package
  • Product approval for anchors
  • Field quality assurance plan

Anchor Design

  • Dead load + wind load + seismic
  • Slotted connections for movement
  • Hot-dip galvanized or stainless
  • Minimum 2 anchors per mullion
  • Special inspection required

Mockup Testing

  • ASTM E330 structural test
  • ASTM E331 water penetration
  • AAMA 501.1 water at design pressure
  • AAMA 501.4 seismic mockup
  • Impact testing per TAS 201

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert answers for facade engineers and architects.

What wind loads apply to curtain walls in Miami-Dade County?
+
Curtain walls in Miami-Dade HVHZ must resist design wind speeds of 180+ mph. Components and cladding pressures vary by height, with upper floors experiencing significantly higher pressures. Corner zones (Zone 5) require approximately 50% higher pressures than field-of-wall (Zone 4) areas. Typical design pressures range from ±65 PSF at lower levels to ±95+ PSF at building tops for 50+ story structures.
What is the difference between unitized and stick-built curtain wall systems?
+
Unitized systems are factory-assembled panels installed as complete units, offering better quality control and faster installation (15-20 panels/day/crew). They use interlocking split mullion connections. Stick-built systems are assembled on-site from individual mullions and glass, providing more flexibility for complex geometry but requiring more field labor. Both must meet identical wind load and impact requirements in HVHZ zones.
What mullion sizes are typical for HVHZ curtain walls?
+
Mullion depths typically range from 6" to 10" for HVHZ applications, depending on span and pressure requirements. Unitized systems typically use 6-8" depths while stick-built often requires 8-10" for equivalent performance. High-rise buildings often require deeper mullions at upper floors due to increased wind pressures. Aluminum mullion wall thickness is typically 0.125" to 0.250" depending on structural demands.
What testing is required for curtain walls in Miami-Dade?
+
Curtain walls require Miami-Dade NOA with testing per TAS 201 (large missile impact at 50 fps), TAS 202 (uniform static air pressure to 1.5× design), and TAS 203 (cyclic wind pressure with 4,500+ cycles). Additional testing includes ASTM E330 for structural performance at 1.5× design, ASTM E331 for water penetration at 6.24 PSF minimum, and AAMA 501.4 for seismic mockup testing where applicable.
How are corner pressures different from field-of-wall?
+
Corner zones (Zone 5 in ASCE 7) experience approximately 50% higher negative pressures than field-of-wall areas (Zone 4) due to flow separation and vortex formation. The corner zone extends from building edges a distance equal to 10% of least horizontal dimension or 0.4× building height (whichever is smaller, but not less than 4% or 3 feet). Corner mullions often require additional reinforcement or thicker walls.

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Facade Compliance
HVHZ Rated: 180+ mph