Exploring the High-Performance Benefits of Laminated Glass

Versatile Building Material Provides Multiple Advantages
This course is no longer active
[ Page 12 of 13 ]  previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 next page
Advertorial course provided by Solutia Inc. and Viracon

Seismic Protection

The performance of architectural glazing under seismic conditions is highly dependent upon the design and structural components of the glazing system. When designing buildings in geographical areas prone to seismic activity, laminated glass offers two major forms of protection. Most importantly, it protects people from dangers due to falling glass. Ordinary glass used in windows and storefronts does not perform well under severe racking conditions. The glass tends to fall out of the frame and shatter onto the street or sidewalk. Laminated glass, however, remains in its frame when broken, reducing or eliminating falling glass. Laminated glass can also help maintain building envelope integrity by helping to keep the building secure and weather-tight until repairs are completed.

The behavior of laminated and annealed glass can be analyzed when subjected to two dynamic cyclic spectra.

Test Results on Behavior of Various Glass Types in a Dry-Glazed Curtain Wall System Under Dynamic Racking Conditions¹
Glass Type²
Glass Thickness IN. (mm)
Fallout During Dynamic Racking Test (%)
In-Plane Racking Only
In-Plane / Out-of-Plane Racking
Annealed Laminated³
1/4 (6.0)
0
0
Heat-strengthened Laminated
7/16 (11.0)
0
0
Fully Tempered Laminated
7/16 (11.0)
11
33
Annealed Monolithic
1/4 (6.0)
23
87
*Notes:
¹Based on averages of several samples tested and not guaranteed for all samples or for conditions other than those tested.
²Glass Size: 60 in. x 72 in. (1524 mm x 1829 mm).
³Two plies "Iami" (2.7 mm) with 0.030 in (0.76 mm) PVB interlayer.
Two plies 3/16 in. (5 mm) with 0.060 in (1.52 mm) PVB interlayer.
Test Results of Behavior of Various Glass Types in a Dry-Glazed Curtain Wall System

 

[ Page 12 of 13 ]  previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 next page
Originally published in Architectural Record.
Originally published in January 2005

Notice

Academies