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Glass is a rare construction material. Glass is a rare construction material, which s traditional, multi functional and constantly evolving along with number of entrepreneurial avenues offered by it. The present article discusses “how to hold the glasses in position” on the façade of buildings. These glazing systems of fixing the glasses determine the economics as well as aesthetics of building and are used as per the perception of the designer.
The traditional curtain wall is a frame of aluminum with mullions and transoms quite similar to large framed glazing except that the walls form an independent envelope around the main structure and are generally not resting on the concrete structure but only connected to it. The design factors of wind loading and provisions for expansions and movements of wall v/s the structure and glass v/s the aluminum are to be considered carefully. Planimetry of the whole glass wall as a single unit and special sealing elements, materials and techniques make it a highly specialized job. The glass is kept in place by placing it in the sash and fixing with a pressure plate and screws.
Structural glazing is a system of bonding glass lo an aluminum window frame utilizing a high – strength, high performance silicone sealant. It uses the adhesive qualities of silicone sealants to retain the glass in the frame by adhesion without the necessity of any mechanical retention such as beads, clips or bolt fixing. Structural glazing with sealants allows perfectly uniform large glazed surfaces, not interrupted by traditional frames or any other supporting or flitting system projecting out of the Frame. Instead of being fitted in a frame, the glass is fixed to a support, which in turn is attached to a structural element of the building, the tightness of the whole system being obtained by a silicone seal. The glass is fixed on its support by means of a silicone seal along the edges of the internal surface. This technique can be used with almost all types of glass, including insulating glass units. The glazing is prepared in a factory by mounting a structural seal support Frame onto glass, complete with appropriate setting blocks, location blocks and distance pieces. On site, the support frame is attached to the building structure by mechanical means and the gaps between the glazing’s are sealed.
Cable supported glazing systems like fin support system are also increasingly used In these systems stainless steel or carbon fibre high strength cables are used to transfer loads to the man structure Cable systems create greater levels of openness, Visibility and natural light and enhance the dramatic appearance of the building.
The bolted structural system is the less obtrusive alternative to structural glazing, which holds the glass by means of visible metal parts and covers a small part of the glass surface. In some case, the holes can be drilled and countersunk, so that the bolts are embedded in the thickness of the glass itself. For small or medium glazing not exceeding 7m in height and 50m in length, rigid bolted system can be used. This system is often used for shop front at street level. It consists of all glass assemblies which may include one or more single or double doors, transoms, fixed side panes, entirely made of tempered glass, assembled by various metal fittings and stiffened by mullions also made of tempered glass. this traditional system consists of attaching the glass panels and the structure with rigid bolts and steel plates. Modern bolted systems use knuckled bolts for fixing of the glass, instead of the common fixed bolt. Knuckled bolt allow the glass which is submitted to the wind pressure, to be flexible and make a continuous curve instead of a curvature. It limits sensibly the tension in the glass at suspension points. The new bolt, which is completely sealed, was intended specifically for roofs, but can be use as well in the elevations and has a special coating protecting it from wear and tear. The same coating also ensures the bolts are self-lubricant. On the inside there are two rings which protect it from wind and water retention inside the bolt components to keep it flexible for life. Bolted glass systems are often used as main entrance elevations of the big buildings, so that one can have unhindered view into the building. This technique even enables architects to make curved facades with flat panes because the rotating bolts can be faceted up to 7 degrees.
Glass fins are used to achieve the all glass clarity required by designers while meeting the structural requirements of the glazing system. It is important that the principles of design and installation are complied with. A glass fin replaces a frame or mullion and must be assessed as to size and thickness and securely fixed or supported at the head and sill. Any loading applied to the glass façade is transferred to the fin and then to the top and bottom fin shoes by way of reaction load. the fins must be adhered to the fin glass with silicone sealant to cope with positive and negative loads. clear silicon is commonly used but black silicone hides any minor bubbles and gives a better joint and particularly with tinted and reflective glasses. Fin systems are also designed with bolted joint. Structural glass is secured to a support structure by a variety of fittings, which are designed to meet the requirements of the structure. These fixings absorb force when glass flexes under load and provide a secure connection between the glass component and the support structure. Fin systems create greater visibility in facades and increases levels of natural light in interiors.
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