Engineering

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Prehung residential door systems undergoing testing for hurricane-zone wind loads (i.imgur.com)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/engineering

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Under structural-only DP loading, a certain amount of deflection is allowed, and a certain amount of post-loading set displacement (permanent deformation) is allowed. Under the DP (design pressure) system, DP ratings are defined differently for structural, water leakage, and air leakage tests. This is a structural only test, so it is not mandatory to maintain a water or airtight seal during or after the load is performed, it simply must not break either the frame, the door, or the glass.

I'm not sure if this unit was a pass or a fail. It at least didn't break.

This two-panel patio door unit has an astragal on the inactive (non-handled) panel with shoot bolts into the head and sill. The active (handled) panel has no shoot bolts in this design, and acts more like a traditional door system.

I believe this was a DP50 structural test rating, equivalent to a 200mph wind. DP is gradually being replaced by the PG rating system which also includes air and water leakage during and after loading in a single unified test definition.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago

This is hilarious because I am literally wearing a shirt I got in grade school from a company that did this type of testing. They helped with one of their tests for a science project. Made it to regionals 😎

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

For reference, the number following "DP" is the pounds per square foot of pressure applied to the window/door. This looks to be a 6'x6'8" door, which would correspond to nearly 2000lbs of load.

However, the load applied in structural testing is greater than the overall performance grade rating. Generally, a DP50 rated product would pass 75lb/sqft of structural pressure. Which would have a total load of nearly 3000lbs applied to the door.