GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

CHAPTER-1
1. INTRODUCTION
A new genre of Glass Designers has sprung up, and the versatility of glass has
made it possible to create anything, from transparent staircases, to coloured shelves in
showrooms, designer ceilings and translucent floorings. And this glass isn't fragile at all.
It is strong and beautiful.

Glass has made a huge impact on the designing industry. We can increasingly see
use of sand-blasted glass panels, glass bricks and etched glass in World-Class projects.
New varieties of glass like smoked glass, wire glass, frosted glass and Pyrex glass have
been developed to aid designers, and are being used in a number of creative ways to
enhance the aesthetic beauty of the space. Decorative etched coloured glass and crystals
have been traditionally used in interiors.

Fig:1. A Glass Structure

1.1. Glass as a Structural Material

Glass can be beautiful and strong, so why it is not used more often as a structural
material? Most often the reasoning is because people fear its perceived fragile and
dangerous nature. Although this is the perception, it is far from the reality.
Structurally designed glass can even withstand higher loads than steel. The
manufacturing process is at the root of the strength of glass, as are the material properties.
As Builders begin to ask for more structural glass in their projects, structural engineers

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 1

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

must be prepared to design the systems or to specify performance criteria to a specialty

engineer.
To aid in design, published guidelines and testing must be done. In a glass
structural system, the glass is not the only aspect that needs an engineer's attention.
Connections present a special challenge when designing with structural glass, but several
different forms of connections have been successfully demonstrated in construction.
Glass has been proven to work as a structural material that can create impressive
visual impact, with the support of the glass manufacturing industry and the courage of
design engineers.

Fig: 1.1Glass Building Fig:1.1A Stress Vs Strain for steel and glass

1.2. Design procedure for thickness of glass panes

 Determine the shape and size of glass panes
 Assume boundary conditions along each side of the glass pane (i.e. point-
supports, 4-side, 3-side or 2 side support)
 Check the supports for the pane are not deforming too much (i.e. they would
not deform more than span/180). Otherwise strengthen the support or assume
more conservative boundary conditions
 Assess loads and load type. Magnitude and duration of loads are estimated.
 Determine glass thickness.
 Detailing against stress concentration, fabrication, water leakage etc.

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 2

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

12mm 8mm 3mm

Fig: 1.2 Thickness of glass

1.3. Glass building blocks

Glass blocks are a special building material made of glass. Shaped and laid similarly
to brick or concrete blocks, glass blocks are available in several different sizes and are
commonly used as an alternative to traditional windows, especially in basements. Glass
blocks are also used to construct shower walls, uniquely shaped windows, and are
frequently employed in the architectural design of office buildings.

Glass blocks are also frequently found in office spaces. They can be used to construct
non-load bearing walls, partitions, and windows. Glass blocks are considered both an
architectural element and a practical aspect of design because natural lighting can be
filtered in.

 Superb visual and aesthetic appeal

 Thermal transmission.
 Light transmission: 80% clear blocks / 60% color blocks
 Exceptional product versatility, externally or internally for commercial and
domestic use

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 3

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

 Excellent sound insulation.

Fig: 1.3 Glass block Fig: 1.3A Glass wall

1.4. Structural Glass Walls

A “structural glass wall” is made up of tempered glass sheets suspended from
special clamps, or spider fittings. These fittings are stabilized against wind pressure by
perpendicular stiffeners and/or cables and carry the glass loads

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 4

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

Fig:1.4 Spider fittings – used to hold tempered glass in structural glass walls.

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 5

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

Fig:1.4A Structural glass wall using spider fitting.

structural glass wall using spider fittings

Fig: 1.4.B.Structural glass wall using Spider Fittings.

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 6

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

1.5. Glazing
Glazing is the process of placing glass into profiles designed to receive them, then
held in place with glazing clips, blocks and compounds making a “weather tight” joint
between the glass and frame.
Proper glazing keeps the glass from contacting the frame during thermal
expansion of the glass or the frame and during loading due to wind, snow, rain or seismic
forces.

Fig:1.5 Glazed building

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 7

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

1.6. GLASS COLUMNS

Although glass works well under compression, it is difficult to prevent a glass
column from buckling. Laminated glass principles can be used to reduce the likelihood of
buckling in column. In laminated columns, each layer acts as a lateral support for the
others and the slenderness ratio is decreased.

Fig:1.6 Column Failure

A column can fail in three ways, which are illustrated in Figure. The least likely
method of failure is crumbling, which is where the column can no longer withstand the
compression force and yields to failure. The next form of collapse is a shear failure,
where the shear force is too large and two pieces of the member slide along each other.
Most commonly the type of failure in a column is buckling. In this case, the member
bows out until it finally breaks in the middle.

1.7. Laminated Glass Columns

 Bundle of massive glass bars, glued together.
 Cylinders glued together.
 Rectangular glass panels, laminated.

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 8

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

Fig:1.7 Laminated Glass Columns

Each of the illustrated methods could be used as a 9.5-foot column that could
carry a load of nearly 7,870 pounds, including a safety factor of 1.5.

If a bundle of bars, known as the “Holten concept,” was used, it would take seven
bars of about 1.2 inches diameter each. The bars would be adhered together by UV-
activated glue creating a single column with a diameter of about 3.7 inches.

Another option was using two laminated cylinders. This method, known as the
“Corea concept,” would require the outer cylinder to be just less than four inches in
diameter and 0.3-inch thick. The inner cylinder’s diameter would be 3 inches with a
thickness of 0.4-inch. The reaming gap of 0.18-inch would be filled partially with epoxy
glue.

The final option for this load-bearing column would be laminated glass panels.
Seven annealed glass strips could be glued together using a resin, and the resulting
column would be around 2.75 inches thick.

1.8. Glass Beams

Like other structural glass members, beams are made of laminated glass.
Typically, they are designed so that the inner pane can support the entire load without the
help of the outermost panes.

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 9

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

This is a safety factor that allows damage to some of the panes without complete
failure of the beam. Because the outer layers are just for protection, they are typically
thinner than the interior layer.
Laminated glass beams can be manufactured to meet nearly any size required.
Because the use of such beams is rare, there are no standard sizes that designers must use.
The limiting factor on size of a beam is the limitations of the manufacturer’s
equipment, such as their autoclave, which is used in the laminating process. Typically,
beams are made no longer than 14 feet, but if the owner is willing to pay more, lengths up
to 23 feet are possible
If longer spans are required for a glass beam, it is possible to create a beam using
staggered joints. When this type of beam is made, a resin interlayer is used instead of
PVB foil

Fig:1.8 Glass Beams

1.9 Glass Floor

Strength and stability calculations are not the only element that needs attention
during the design of a glass floor. The psychological effects and need for privacy must be
considered.
Because people perceive glass as a fragile material, it can be difficult for them to
accept that a completely transparent floor is going to carry their weight safely.
Also, a completely see-through floor cannot give the people above any privacy
from those people below. Because of these factors, it is suggested that at least a part of
glass walkways be opaque.

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 10

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

 Even though the difference is only a thin foil that is less than 0.02-inch, a higher
level of privacy is offered and people are set at ease
 When a smooth surface, such as glass, gets wet it becomes very slippery. This is
a hazard that must be avoided in building construction. To prevent glass from
becoming slick, it must be specially treated before it is installed.
 Making a rougher and more durable surface is a simple process. One face of the
glass is melted until it is of a syrupy consistency, and then grains of sand or small
pieces of broken glass are sprinkled onto it. The pieces that are dropped onto the
glass will sink until the glass is no longer molten enough.
After this the glass is allowed to return to a normal temperature, and the
surface hardens. Aside from making a rough, non-slip surface, this process also slows the
wear process of the glass because the sand grains or glass pieces are very well connected
to the original glass surface

Fig: 1.9 Glass floor

1.9. Glass Stairs

Much like glass floors, glass stairs are becoming more common. Some staircases
are a combination of glass treads with steel support and others are all glass that only uses
steel for connections.

 The thickness for stair treads must be designed for the dynamic load of people
who would be fleeing during an emergency
 Glass treads are usually made of laminated glass. One example of a tread is a
laminated glass that has three layers of toughened glass that are each 0.59-inch
thick and a top layer of annealed glass that is 0.39-inch thick.

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 11

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

 In this case, the stairs were over 2 inches thick to accommodate the load and To
completely remove any visual obstructions

Fig:1.10 Glass Stairs

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 12

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

CHAPTER-2
CASE STUDY
2. Arnhem Zoo Glass Bridge

Fig:2 Glass Bridge

Arnhem Zoo Glass Bridge did not use steel connections. This was very
advantageous because it eliminated the need to drill holes in the glass panels. Eliminating
the holes lessened the likelihood that cracks would form. With the exception of the shape
of the walls and the thickness of glass that was used, the detailing for the two bridges was
identical. For this bridge, each structural element was composed of laminated pieces of
glass with the same thickness. The walls and roof each had two panels with the walls
being 0.4-inch thick, and the roof 0.3-inch thick. The beams spanning between the two
buildings and supporting the floor on each side were three laminations each 0.5-inch
thick. Again, for rainwater runoff the roof was rounded.

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 13

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

CONCLUSION:
Glass structures are aesthetically appealing and beneficial as a way of bringing
additional light into space. These systems are used in both commercial and residential
spaces and require careful attention to engineering, installation and pedestrian safety.
 Its use fulfills the architectural view for external decoration.
 Glass cladding in building fulfill functional requirement of lighting, heat
retention and energy saving.
 As toughened glass is available, one can have good interior design with the
use of glass in transparent staircase, colored shelves, ceiling etc.
 Glass is an excellent material for thermal insulation, water proofing and
energy conservation.
 Glass is bad conductor of heat; it saves energy in air conditioning of building.
For making glass partition on upper floors, no extra design is required for slab
as glass is light in weight.
 Glass does not let water to pass through.
 Use of glass in construction work adds beauty to the building.

Glass can also be used as structural material “JUST THINK OVER IT”.

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 14

GLASS STRUCTURES 2022-23

REFERENCE
 B Shand (1958) Glass engineering handbook
 Pren 13474-1, Glass in Building – Design of Glass Panes
 Canadian Code CAN/CGS 12.20-M89, Structural design of glass for buildings
 P Wilson (2005) Construction of all-glass structures with external glass frames.
 Vijay Glass house, Mysore.
 KPC Glass, Mysore.

GEC-HH Dept of CIVIL Engg Page 15