Development of a high wind pressure simulation test device for large curtain wall shield door specimens

In response to the elevated wind pressure resistance standards in typhoon-prone regions and the associated challenges intesting large-scale irregular curtain wall and rail transit platform screen door specimens, a super-scale prefabricated pressure chamber apparatus was developed. The apparatus features an innovative "rectangular + concave" composite planar layout with 2.5 m × 2.5 m modular cells, achieving substantial reduction in on-site welding through factory prefabrication and modular assembly. The proposed cellular self-balancing pressure principle leverages mutual pressure cancellation within individual compartments, effectively eliminating tensile forces at column bases and significantly reducing structural costs. Enhanced sealing performance is realized through specialized wide-narrow edge closure configurations and extended bottom sealing plates. Additionally, C-section edge beams combined with sloped floor design effectively mitigate water accumulation and corrosion issues. Practical applications demonstrate that the apparatus maintains air infiltration below 20% of total leakage under high wind pressure loading up to 15 kPa, enabling efficient installation of oversized irregular specimens and concurrent multi-specimen testing. This advancement improves testing efficiency and equipment durability while reducing both construction and maintenance costs.