Contents

List of tables
Notation

4
4.1
4.2

vi

Foreword vii
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5

Structural use of glass

Introduction 1
History of glass 2
Scope 4
Status 4
References 4

2
2.1

The challenge of sustainability 5

Sustainability interconnections why a holistic approach
is needed 5

2
2.1
2.2
2.3

Design principles 5
Glass material properties 5
Behaviour of glass as a structural material 5
Glass types 6
2.3.1 The four variants 6
2.3.2 Annealed glass 6
2.3.3 Heat-strengthened glass 7
2.3.4 Thermally toughened glass 8
2.3.5 Chemically toughened glass 8
2.3.6 Heat soaking 9
2.3.7 Laminated glass 10
2.3.8 Glass coatings 12
2.3.9 Material properties of glass 12
Connections in glass 13
2.4.1 Localised stress 13
2.4.2 Continuous linear supports 13
2.4.3 Clamp fixings 13
2.4.4 Bolted fixings 14
2.4.5 Adhesives 15
Limitations of material 15
2.5.1 Introduction 15
2.5.2 Inherent properties 16
2.5.3 Manufacture 16
2.5.4 Transport and installation 16
Post-failure behaviour 16
2.6.1 Post-failure behaviour of monolithic glass 16
2.6.2 Post-failure behaviour of laminated glass 17
2.6.3 Redundancy and post-failure behaviour of glass 17
Application of limit state theory 17
References 17

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7
2.8
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5

Design criteria 19
Introduction 19
Stress limits 19
Support movements 20
Serviceability limits 20
Fire protection and extreme loading conditions 20
3.5.1 Introduction 20
3.5.2 Design criteria for fire protection 20
3.5.3 Design criteria for blast loading 21
3.5.4 Design criteria for seismic loading 22
3.6 Location 23
3.6.1 Introduction 23
3.6.2 Post-failure behaviour of glass at height 23
3.7 Environment 23
3.8 Testing 24
3.9 Testing methodology 24
3.10 Codified approach to testing 24
3.11 References 26

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6
5
5.1
5.2

Analysis of glass structures 27

Introduction 27
Modelling techniques 27
4.2.1 Methodology 27
4.2.2 Simple global model 27
4.2.3 Detailed local models 28
4.2.4 Detailed global model 28
Analysis types 29
4.3.1 Linear vs. non-linear 29
4.3.2 Linear elastic analysis 29
4.3.3 Non-linear analysis 29
Design examples 29
4.4.1 Description 29
4.4.2 Advanced analysis techniques 30
Interrogation of model and results 31
4.5.1 Interpretation 31
4.5.2 Initial model checks 32
4.5.3 Verification of results 32
References 33

5.4

Glass in the building envelope 34

Introduction 34
Design of glass panes within cladding units
5.2.1 Parameters 34
5.2.2 Material choice 35
5.2.3 Design principles 35
5.2.4 Methods of connection 35
5.2.5 Serviceability 35
5.2.6 Initial sizing 36
Design of insulating glazed units 36
5.3.1 Description 36
5.3.2 Material choice 36
5.3.3 Design principles 37
5.3.4 Methods of support 37
5.3.5 Serviceability 37
References 37

6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8

Connection design 38
Introduction 38
Continuous linear support connections
Clamp connections 38
Friction connections 38
Bolted connections 39
Adhesive based connections 40
Worked example 41
References 41

7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9

Glass balustrades 42
Introduction 42
Design principles 42
Material selection 43
Methods of connection 43
Serviceability 44
Initial sizing 45
Design criteria 45
Worked example for balustrade design
References 48

8
8.1

Element design 49
Glass floor plate design 49
8.1.1 Introduction 49
8.1.2 Design principles 49
8.1.3 Material selection 50
8.1.4 Methods of connection 50
8.1.5 Serviceability 51
8.1.6 Initial sizing 51

5.3

34

38

46

The Institution of Structural Engineers Structural use of glass in buildings (Second edition)

iii

8.1.7 Worked example for floor plate design 52

Glass wall design 56
8.2.1 Introduction 56
8.2.2 Design principles 56
8.2.3 Material selection 57
8.2.4 Methods of connection 57
8.2.5 Serviceability 58
8.2.6 Initial sizing 58
8.2.7 Worked example for glass wall design 59
Glass beam design 61
8.3.1 Introduction 61
8.3.2 Design principles 62
8.3.3 Material selection 63
8.3.4 Methods of connection 63
8.3.5 Serviceability 63
8.3.6 Initial sizing 64
8.3.7 Worked example for glass beam
design 65
Glass column design 66
8.4.1 Introduction 66
8.4.2 Material choice 66
8.4.3 Design principles 66
8.4.4 Methods of connection 68
8.4.5 Serviceability 68
8.4.6 Initial sizing 68
8.4.7 Worked example for glass column
design 70
References 71

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5
9
9.1
9.2

Special application of structural glass

Introduction 73
Prestressed glass structures 73
9.2.1 Principles of design 73
9.2.2 Material choice 73
9.2.3 Design principles 73
9.2.4 Methods of connection 73
9.2.5 Serviceability 73
Adhesive based glass structures 73
9.3.1 Introduction 73
9.3.2 Design principles 74
Reference 74

9.3

9.4

73

10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4

Fire protection of glass structures 75

Introduction 75
Material changes to glass for fire protection 75
Positive fire protection to glass structures 76
Impact of fire protection to the design of structural glass
elements 76
10.5 References 76
11
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
12

Designing glass structures for extreme loading

conditions 77
Accidental loads 77
Designing for blast loads 77
Ballistic loading 78
Intruder resistance 79
Designing for seismic loads 79
References 79

12.6

Procurement, construction, and maintenance of

glass structures 80
Introduction 80
Procurement 80
Quality control 80
Construction methods 80
Replacement strategy and maintenance regimes of glass
structures 81
References 82

13
13.1
13.2
13.3

Specification 83
Introduction 83
Specification for glass cladding 83
Specification for glass structures 83

12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4
12.5

iv

The Institution of Structural Engineers Structural use of glass in buildings (Second edition)

14
14.1
14.2
14.3
14.4
14.5
14.6
14.7

Inspection of glass structures 85

Introduction 85
Degradation of connections 85
Cracking due to thermal shock 85
Cracking due to instability 85
Cracking due to surface imperfections
Cracking due to impact 85
Nickel sulphide imperfections 86

Appendix A

Bibliography

85

87

Appendix B Regulatory framework 88

Appendix C

Design data for structural glass 89

Appendix D Material properties charts 91

Appendix E

Glossary of terms

99