CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/891910
TRENDS NOVEMBER 2017 18 CompositesWorld Composite materials for building clad- ding have been shown to be lifecycle cost-effective, lightweight alterna- tives to steel, aluminum, fiber cement, terracotta and ceramic-based prod- ucts, as CW has reported on numerous occasions (e.g., short.compositesworld.com/ ArchCladUp). The use of composite clad- ding is growing, driven by consumer demand for new structures that meet 'green' building regulations and provide energy cost savings. Beyond the green benefits, however, more architects are seeing and embracing the design free- dom composites offer in terms of new and unusual complex, curved shapes, says composite material supplier Scott Bader Co. Ltd. (Northamptonshire, UK, and Stow, OH, US). These cost, weight and design benefits will almost certainly expand composites use in building cladding and roofing applica- tions in the coming years. One recent example is the Ferrari Land theme park in Salou, Spain, officially opened to the public this year near Barcelona. This impressive 70,000m 2 themed attraction captures the spirit of Ferrari cars in both the design of park buildings and the activities on offer. Visitors can experi- ence first-hand, on the park's rides and simulators, the adrenalin rush from the fast acceleration and high-speed performance of this iconic Italian brand's sports cars and Formula 1 racing cars. Key landmarks are the spectacular Ferrari Experience building, with its classic "Ferrari red" exterior and engine hood-shaped entrance, and Red Force, Europe's tall- est and fastest rollercoaster, at more than 112m in height. Capable of accelerating to 112 mph in five seconds, the ride is designed to approximate the 1.35 G-force and other conditions felt by a Formula 1 racing driver. A combination of painted flat aluminum panels and approximately 1,500m 2 of more complex, curved FRP composite wall cladding and roofing sections cover the Ferrari Experience building's exterior and various sections of the Red Force rollercoaster structure, reports Scott Bader. The designs and specifications were developed by Permasteelisa España S.A.U. (Madrid, Spain), which also managed the building construction projects for the two attractions. A total of 800 individual FRP parts were molded by architectural façades and parts fabrication specialist Look Composites (part of the Miraplas Group, Alicante, Spain). All the molded FRP parts, painted on site to ensure perfect color, had to meet the Euroclass B,s2,d0 ARCHITECTURE Use of composites in architectural cladding shows growth norplex-micarta.com 563-864-7328 EnableX™, from Norplex-Micarta, allows continuous fiber pre-preg to be co-cured in a single step, multi- material, molding system to produce near net shapes. Building upon the predictability of continuous fiber reinforced pre-preg, EnableX™ materials are: • Specifically designed for compression molding • Tested to ensure compatibility • Supported by our team of application engineers, backed with our in-house laboratory and material development capabilities Source | Scott Bader