Structural Use of Glass Beams

Ruth Kasper, Gerhard Sedlacek

Using glass elements as structural components opens new possibilities for architects and engineers to design transparent structures. By this the use of glass is not restricted to the application as an infill panel only, but extended to primary load bearing members as beams or columns.

Due to the brittle behaviour of glass robustness and damage tolerance of the structure is a requirement that can only be achieved by laminated safety glass.

Within the frame of a research project the Institute of Steel Construction of the RWTH Aachen is performing tests and numerical studies to determine the serviceability and ultimate behaviour of laminated glass beams. The study includes the determination of the resistance of the cross-section of the beams and their lateral buckling resistance taking account of the time- and temperature dependent behaviour of the PVB-foil. The results will be used as a basis for a design concept for glass components made of laminated safety glass.

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