Glass-polycarbonate-sandwich-elements as overhead glazing

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Weller & Dipl.-Ing. Thorsten Weimar, Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Building Construction

Laminated glass panes with polycarbonate sheets as interlayer material are usually named glasspolycarbonate-sandwiches. At present time these elements are typically used as vertical security glazing in architecture. The design of the sandwiches depends
considerably on the necessary classification for resistance to and protection from attacks. Laminated glass with polycarbonate interlayer is much lighter and thinner than conventional security glass at similar or improved performance.

If security glass is used as overhead glazing the mechanical stress distribution in the glass-polycarbonatesandwich-element is totally different in comparison to a vertical glazing. These effects have to be considered particularly for the rheologic and temperature-dependent material behaviour of the used interlayers.

Suitable cross sections of glasspolycarbonate-sandwiches are developed, which serve for typical applications in architecture and fulfil the necessary classification for resistance to and protection from attacks. The main focus of the research is on the strength and post-breakage behaviour of the sandwich elements. The results support the practical application of glass-polycarbonate-sandwich-elements as overhead security glazing.

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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