Self-adapting faÇade systems: Experimentation regarding the exploitation of thermal dilation

An original and innovative solar device orientation system is illustrated, together with the results of research and experimentation. The system proposed uses only the force generated by natural thermal dilation, without the help of motors, comput-erized devices or external energy sources, thus overcoming some critical aspects of the self-adaptive type of building envelopes used up until now. In the course of the research a mathematical model was developed to correlate the variation of the environmental temperature with the consequent expansion of the dilating elements of the system. The results of the tests carried out confirmed an excellent correspondence between the theoretical results and the experimentation. The state of the art of the research has all its theoretical aspects defined and some partial prototypes created. It is planned to build some complete prototypes with the realistic prospect of produc-tive development.