2. TASK
* Do research on building projects in
structural glazing
* Three projects in the field of glass
beams
How do we give
documentation?
What information
characterizes the
building project?
What sources are
available?
How do we compare
the projects in order to
analyze the discovered
results?
GOAL
Research and structure information
Necessary Information
3. Introduction
Structural Glazing
Structural glazing is a building process where the glass itself supports part of the
structure. It is also used to describe glass that is bonded together without any framing
or extra support.
Advantages of Structural Glazing
▪ Allows for broader architectural design flexibility
▪ Increases the thermal efficiency of buildings, because the exterior exposure of metal
framing is either reduced or eliminated
▪ Reduces or eliminates water and air infiltration
▪ Reduces the potential for thermal breakage of glass
Glass Beams
• Glass is as strong as aluminum when used as a beam in either a vertical or
horizontal situation.
• A glass beam is constructed from layers of toughened glass laminated together.
• The number of layers and thickness of the glass will be dependent on the span
needed.
• For stability it is necessary for either end of the beam to be secured and this is most
usually done with a stainless steel shoe, into which the beam is structurally bonded.
9. Type of supported
element Roof
Number of beams 73
Dimensions 11m*450mm*36mm
Full Span span up to 11 meters
Supported area approximately 370 square meters
Glass type/
Number of glass
layers
heat-strengthened, 12mm-thick toughened
white glass panels with a white PVB
interlayer
Connection
details
A stainless-steel profile is glued onto the
upper side of the glass beams and connects
the roof panels with the clamping plates
Any other
specialties
cold-twisted glass panels as both laminated
and insulated .
The ‘upper surface’ of the warped roof is
created by ‘cold bended’ IGU panels.Specification
10. Glass roof for International Chamber of Commerce
(IHK) Munich
12. Type of
supported
element
Roof
Number of
beams
5 main beams
Dimensions Outer: 2*(12mm*0.9m*4.5m)
Inner: (10mm+19mm+10mm)*0.9m*4.5m
Full
Span/weight
14m/3.5 tones
Supported
area
151.2 square meters
Glass type/
Number of
glass layers
Outer Glass Fins (2 x 12 mm heat-
strengthened glass) Inner Glass Fins (3-
layer laminate with a 19 mm fully tempered
glass pane sandwiched between two 10 mm
panes)
Connection
details
Bearing bolt connections at the end and
center points of the fins. The main beams
are stabilized by the binding piece
connection of the secondary beams .
Any other
specialties
Multipart simply supported single span .
Primary load-bearing structure of the lean-
to roof with an inclination of 10°.Specification
13. TOPICS Van Gogh Museum
Netherland,Amsterdam
Victoria & Albert
Museum, London
(IHK) Munich
Type of
supported
element
Roof Roof Roof
Number of
beams
20 73 5
Dimensions 12m length * 9.4m high 11m*450mm*36mm Outer:
2*(12mm*0.9m*4.5m)
Inner:
(10mm+19mm+10mm)*0.
9m*4.5m
Full Span 12 meters 11 meters 14 meters
Supported area 650 square meters 370 square meters 151.2 square meters
Glass type/
Number of glass
layers
heat- strengthened glass heat-strengthened
three, 12mm-thick
Outer (heat- strengthened
glass)
Inner (3-layer laminate
fully tempered glass )
Connection
details
----- Stainless-steel profile is
glued on upper side of
beam
Bearing bolt connections
Comparison overview
