Presse release - „Galileo” provides information on sandwich panel building techniques for architects, planners, builders and their clients

„Galileo – Creative building with sandwich panels” – is the joint response by four of Germany’s largest manufacturers of sandwich panels to the demand from architects, planners, builders and their clients for more information about sandwich panel building techniques. The focus is on the creative, economic and structural advantages offered by modern sandwich panels.

Fig. 1 : This is the logo of “Galileo”, a source of information for architects, planners,
builders and their clients about the capabilities of modern sandwich panels

Sandwich effect – load bearing abilities – Galileo

The name of Galileo Galilei, the famous physicist and the first person to understand torsion, was chosen because sandwich panels - precisely because of the “sandwich effect” - offer excellent resistance to bending and torsion. With their high degree of inherent rigidity, sandwich panels are not only self-supporting and light in weight but, with a suitable static system and appropriate dimensioning, they are able to bear considerable loads. Consequently, sandwich panels can be used as highly resistant cladding for facades or secure roof covering in a wide variety of applications throughout the construction industry. And they are suitable for light and hybrid construction.

The new generation of sandwich panels

The energy saving sandwich panel construction technique has evolved over some 50 years into one of the most economical forms of light construction, capable of meeting the demand for a wide variety of forms and styles for an extremely varied range of buildings. Thanks to its extensive choice of components, component shapes, surface structures, connection techniques and colours the system can satisfy the ever more stringent requirements of modern architects.

Fig 2: With their elegant profiling, wide range of surface structures and colours and concealed connections,
the new generation of sandwich panels offers completely new design possibilities.

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Fig 3: An example of sandwich technique construction of the 90’s: the ARENA combined office and administrative facility and warehouse at Libourne, France

This move towards design-orientated quality gives the architect the opportunity to try out the possibilities offered by modern sandwich techniques.

More information for designers, builders and their clients

“Galileo – creative building with sandwich panels” is aimed at satisfying the growing interest in sandwich construction techniques by giving regular, targeted information to universities, the specialist planning and construction industry press and via the internet. “Galileo” provides information about:

• applications and examples of use
  
• load bearing capability, structural engineering
  
• complete construction system, flexibility
  
• use in a variety of load-bearing constructions
  
• design advantages and rationalisation
  
• connection techniques
  
• conversion and extension capabilities
  
• cost factors, examples of amortisation
• reduction of building times and costs
• heat insulation and energy saving
• preventive fire protection
• noise insulation
• innovation, compatibility with new technologies
• environmental aspects

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The members of “Galileo – Creative building with sandwich panels” are, in alphabetical order:

Elastogran GmbH
ems-Isoliertüren Mickeleit GmbH & Co. KG
Hoesch Siegerlandwerke GmbH
HUNTSMAN Polyurethanes (Germany) GmbH
Metecno Bausysteme GmbH
Romakowski GmbH & Co. KG
voestalpine Stahl GmbH