Architectural Glass for Earthquake-resistant Buildings

Richard A. Behr

Significant differences exist in the performance of various architectural glass types subjected to simulated earthquake conditions. Controlled laboratory studies were conducted to investigate the cracking resistance and fallout resistance of different types of architectural glass installed in the same storefront and mid-rise wall systems. Quantitative data obtained from these studies are summarized, along with qualitative observations regarding the various failure modes exhibited by architectural glass under simulated seismic loadings. Effects of glass surface prestress, lamination, wall system type, and dry versus structural silicone glazing are discussed. Laboratory results revealed that distinct magnitudes of "drift" (i.e., differential horizontal movements between adjacent floors in a building frame) cause glass cracking and glass fallout in each glass type tested. Notable differences in seismic resistance exist between architectural glass types commonly used in contemporary building design, with annealed and heat-strengthened laminated glass units showing the highest levels of resistance to glass fallout. Annealed monolithic glass panels with 0.1 mm plastic (PET) film (unanchored to the wall system frame, as in retrofit film applications) are not as resistant to glass fallout as are annealed and heat-strengthened laminated glass units.

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