Safe Postbreakage Behaviour of Point Fixed Glazing Systems - More Than a Case Study a Real Breakthrogh

Jean-Clément Nugue, Gérard Savineau

Structural use of laminated safety glass based on PVB interlayers has seen a considerable popularity during the lastdecade. This was driven, in particular, by the development of more sophisticated "Point Fixed Glazing Systems" and by the National Building Codes for overhead glazing and skylight. The exploitation of these systems has reached extensive possibilities through the greater understanding of the structural potential of laminated safety glass itself and the analytical techniques made possible with computers. The phobias on the "fragility" and "poor" mechanical strength of laminated safety glass are gradually replaced by an acceptation of its structural potential. Although relatively well accepted for vertical glazing, this statement has been questioned for horizontal applications and at high temperature due to the lack of technical study on this matter.

Saint-Gobain Glass and Solutia Europe S.A. have responded to this concern by conducting a joint research study. The aim of this study was to assess the load bearing capacity, and postbreakage safe behavior of laminated safety glass based on Saflex PVB when fixed in holes with articulated bolts from SGG's Spider Fixing System. Test results, conclusions and recommendations as well as mathematical models for didactic use are presented in this paper.

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The Authors

Dr. Gérard Savineau Dr. Solutia Europe S.A/N.V Dr. Gérard Savineau has been employed in corporate executive positions with Monsanto/Solutia Europe S.A. and USA continuously from September 1976 to the present time. He has been involved with Automot... Read more