Influence of glass component joints on the structural glass facade design

Abstract

There is a strong relation between the type of glass components connection and the structural glass facade design. The objective of the paper is to study the different solutions of the design of the connections between elements of structural glass facades. Influenced by the load, in relation to the structural system, glass layer may be exposed to different types and intensities of stresses, which inevitably affect the design process in terms of selecting the type and dimensions of glass elements. In order to evaluate the impact of design of component joints on facade structural system and hence its design, some hypothetical models of structural glass components joints are created and numerical analyzes are carried out. Methodological approach entails three steps: creation of typology of joints which includes form and assembly types, design of hypothetical models of structural glass facade components joints and examination of structural stability of hypothetical models.