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Glass use in Architecture – part 1

Glass is undoubtedly one of the main materials, portrayed in contemporary architectural practice. From windows of shops, reception areas and residences to world symbol buildings is visible the trend for bigger, higher, more complex and transparent glass surfaces. The glass architecture serves the needs of symbolism – the transparency of the shell eliminates the boundaries between the interior of the building and the urban fabric, in nature or in sky – natural light, visual comfort, solar heat gain etc.- and aesthetics.

It is obvious that the wide application of glass surfaces led to the rapid development of technology and manufacturing glass processing, especially in the last 20 years. Researches and the corresponding technological achievements related to the optimization of the material properties, enhancing strength and security, the process of creating multilayer glass, improving their energy behavior, the way of support and flexibility of their form. Through these developments solutions to problems or limitations of glass structures and new perspectives were given.

The latest advances in glass technology enable the creation of complex curved geometric glass. In conjunction with the development of appropriate software, able to describe the complex geometry of curved surfaces is now possible to manufacture original glass buildings and facades in free, organic and flowing forms.

Breaking strength

From the latest developments on the structural glazing is the production of an inner layer of poly ionoplastic lamellar glass which increases durability while allowing the use of thinner and lighter glass. The ionoplastic (ionomer – based polymer) membranes although originally developed for areas with an increased risk of hurricanes they began to be widely used in glass due to structural systems of sophisticated technical features compared to the recently used materials (e.g., PVB). Not affected by the use of silicone or moisture is completely transparent, creates stronger bonds with the glass, are rigid and turn the glass to a monolithic construction. In case of breakage the substrate remains in place, holding the fragments of glass.

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This article is for www.speedfab.com

Glass use in Architecture – part 2

Support systems

In modern glass building use of frames to support glazing has ended, achieving complete transparency and continuity of the construction. Glazing is suspended from a support system, which is fixed to the structural elements of the building. The predominant ways of supporting structural glass are three, in various combinations and variations:

• Steel frame. In its simplest version is a conventional metal frame into which the glazing is secured. Such modern systems are very flexible: they can be external and visible or internal and almost invisible.
• Transparent glass “fins”. These glass elements are made of safety glass and are usually hung from the roof of the building inside the glazing. The glazings are secured with appropriate links to the flaps, transferring to them the burden and providing protection against horizontal forces due to wind. The posting of the flips capable of small displacements, e.g. rotation around a metal rod, provides protection from thermal expansion or moving loads.
• Support through tension cables. In some of the most innovative modern structures cables under tension have been used to support the glass. Such systems consist of a metal frame surrounding the glass, one or more tissues and grid wires.

Connecting means

The connectors used in structural glass systems are made of stainless steel. The selection and planning plays a key role in the transport of cargo and depends on various factors such as the type of glass, the support system, the design and use of the building loads calculated of receiving. The most common link is the component “spider” or “star” type. There is also the advanced version with sliding arms to assimilate any glazing shifts up to 25 mm in case of earthquake. Within the framework of research to achieve absolute transparency of glass surfaces with minimal frame, the latest technological breakthrough in the category of links is the accessories that are embedded on the glass.

This article is for www.speedfab.com