The aesthetics of transparency - conceptual design for an all-glass façade system

K. Bergmeister, O. Englhardt, R. Hilber, Institute of Structural Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna

Maximum transparency and lightness often founds an extraordinary aesthetic. The wish for uninterrupted extensive and as much as possible transparent faces takes a special role in architectural design.

The presented paper will contain a comprehensive overview about these developments of all-glass façades. For these structurally glazed systems the glass panes and glass fins work together as a composite structure – for vertical as well as horizontal glazing.

The glass panes will be used as surface structures: they are used for in-plane load transfer so that a high efficiency in the load bearing behaviour can be achieved. Experimental and
numerical investigations have been done to investigate in the stability behaviour of the glass plates. As a result buckling and interaction curves could be determined.

The glass fins will be used as structural elements to transfer loads normal to the plate surface. To transfer great heights or spans, an addition of glass beams is necessary. The ultimate load of these elements and point fittings was determined by experimental studies. Numerical simulations were done to optimize the glass beams and the joining elements.

Full text article [387 KB]

The Authors