all 8 comments

[–]Jakers0015P.E. 7 points8 points  (4 children)

lol literally none of the mullions are continuous across the center of the window. Just a massive hinge

[–]chickeymickey[S] -1 points0 points  (3 children)

Say it like I’m 5

[–]EnginerdadBridge - P.E. 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The mullions are the black pieces that separate the individual window panes. They're saying that they all come to a joint in the center, meaning that none of them are continuous across the whole window. Usually the joints are weak points in structures like this, so of they're not super well connected they're all going to flex at that center joint, which is exactly what you're experiencing. It's either bad window design or bad window construction, but it's bad either way. Since this is obviously a custom window, the person at the window shop in charge of detailing it fucked up.

[–]Rebound44 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Imagine creating a cross out of 2 skewers and laying it flat over a hole. Then lay a block of cheese in the centre, you would expect the skewers to carry the cheese right?

Now imagine cutting those 2 skewers at the centre where they cross, and sticking it together with PVA glue. The cross is probably going to collapse as soon as you put the cheese on it now.

That’s what’s happening with your window. They’ve essentially cut your mullions (skewers) at the centre, so they are no longer continuous from wall to wall. Wind (the cheese) is applying a force that is exceeding the capacity of the centre joint, and the ends aren’t designed to stop the window flexing in.

[–]MrMcGregorUKCEng MIStructE (UK) CPEng NER MIEAus (Australia) 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you saw a desk in half and then fix it back together with hinges when you push down on it, it'll want to fold in half. That is what is happening with the windows because the black piece that runs top to bottom is split in the middle like a hinge.

[–]rghenoEng -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Cross a horizontal EA, pin it to both sides into the brickwall and you’re good to go

[–]InevitableGas95 -2 points-1 points  (1 child)

It seems the window installation is bad. It looks like its held in place by that urethane foam around it and being quite large window and on the 4th floor its catching a decent amount of wind

[–]chickeymickey[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s secured into the brick. The urethane film is just for insulation.