Solid materials for in-plane load application into glass edges

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Weller, Dipl.-Ing. Jan Ebert, Dipl.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Stefan Reich

The TU Dresden is decisively involved in the development of a sustainable and transparent glazed roof structure. The designed transparent space grid structure is based on a conventional steel space grid, in which all steel members of the compression layer are replaced by glass panes. The glazing transfers large in-plane forces and serves as roof covering. Prerequisite for these structures is the load application of significant compression forces into brittle glass edges. Until now, no comprehensive scientific research has been carried out to investigate suitable contact materials for axial load application at glass edges. The intended detail design requires a contact material, which is softer than glass while providing a high compressive strength, low creeping and a working temperature range between -20°C and +80°C. Metal alloys and polymers were tested with regard to their compressive strength. Tests on their creeping behavior started in 2008. The results of current investigation were applied to optimize a full-size roof mock-up, spanning over a distance of 15m.

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The Authors

	Prof. Dr. Bernhard Weller Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Building Construction Bernhard Weller is Professor of Civil Engineering at the Technische Universitaet Dresden and Director of the Institute of Building Construction. He has expertise in design, testing and use of glass. T... Read more
	Mr. Jan Ebert Herr student Read more
	Mr. Stefan Reich Technische Universität Dresden Read more