International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 5, Issue 3, March 2015 1

ISSN 2250-3153

Structural Design of a Glass Facade

Pallavi Taywade1, Santosh Shejwal2
1
Student of M.I.T. Pune, Civil Structural Engineering.
2
Sr. Engineer at Tata Blue Scope Steels Pune.

Abstract- Façade Engineering is the art of resolving aesthetic,

environmental and structural issues to achieve the enclosure
of habitable space. Today lightness and transparency are
properties that both architects and clients try to obtain. This has
rapidly increased the use of glass in facades. By using steel as
a load bearing structure, it is possible to keep the
transparency restricting structures slim. The aim of this master’s
thesis is to gather together information on research, design and
codes about the structural design in steel-glass facades. The use
of glass in facades causes many problems due to the material
properties of glass. Glass differs from other building materials in
aspect of being an extremely brittle material and breaking
without a forewarning. This material property of brittleness has
to be taken into account when designing large glass facades.
The requirements of designing load-bearing structures are Figure: 1.1 Parts of Unitized System
normally gotten from either the glass supplier or the producer of
glass pane elements, who both are thereby responsible for the There are three types of curtain wall
strength and functionality of the fastening. 1.1 Stick System
1.2 Unit Panel System (Unitized)
Index Terms- Facade, Brackets, Load Bearing Structures, glass 1.3 Unit Mullion System (Semi unitized)
Façade.
Above three we used the unit panel system which is also
called as unitized system.
I. INTRODUCTION This system comes pre-assembled; it can be pre-glazed at
the factory or shop, or glazed on-site. As such, it minimizes field
F çade is a French origin word meaning the front face. The use
of glass in the exterior facades provided more of light and
good ambience to the occupant of the building which gave rise to
labor and erection costs, and promises a shorter installation
period than the stick system. Quality control issues can be
significantly reduced in terms of site labor, especially with
the increasing use of glass. For the architectural point of view the pre-glazed units, but assembly at the plant and transportation
use of glass gave aesthetic view to the building itself. A structure (due to bulk) increases its cost. Another disadvantage to pre-
supported by aluminum frame work which is made up of Mullion assembly is any site changes become difficult to accommodate.
and Transom is called as a curtain wall. Mullion is a vertical Assembly must be carried out in a specific sequence to ensure a
support or we may call it as a column, while the transom is a proper fit. In a unitized system, the manufacturer must rely on
horizontal support likely to a beam. The first curtain walls were qualified installers to ensure that the air seals are properly
made with steel mullions, and the plate glass was attached to the installed between the split mullions. Nevertheless, the
mullions with asbestos or fiber glass modified glazing unitized system is the most popular façade system according
compound. to on manufacturer and it has performed satisfactorily when
installed correctly.
II. TYPES OF CURTAIN WALL GLAZING
Curtain wall meaning a set of aluminum profile like
Mullion, Transom, Glass panel.

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Figure: 1.2 E-Type Unitized System

Male Mullion and Female Mullion combine forms the unitized systems.

Figure: 1.3 Assumption of Stress Distribution

Figure: 1.4 Fixing details of unitized curtain wall system Figure: 1.5 Unitized Curtain Wall Panel.

III. STRUCTURAL DESIGN

The Curtain Wall is designed to resist and handle all the imposed loads on it as well as keep air and water from penetrating in the
building. The loads imposed on the curtain wall are transferred to the building structure through structural interface (i.e. brackets)
which attaches the mullions to the building. The curtain wall is designed for the following Loads.

1.Dead Load
2.Wind Load

Applicable Standard Codes

IS 875-1987 (Part -1 Dead Loads) Indian Standard Code of Practice for Design
IS 875-1987 (Part -3 Wind Loads) Indian Standard Code of Practice for Design

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IS 8147-1976 Indian Standard Code of Practice for use Aluminum alloys

IS 800-1984 Indian Standard Code of Practice for general construction in steel
Software’s used for Analysis & Design:

STAAD Pro V8i (For Structural Analysis)

Typical Mullion Analysis

Figure: 1.6 UDL Due to Wind Load

Max Span (L) = 3.65m

Max Cross Span (S) = 1.05m
Number of transom per unit = 2
Max BM = 4.02 kN/m
Deflection Calculation of Mullion
Max Deflection = 6.11mm ….. From STAAD PRO
Permissible Deflection (Lesser) = Span/175 = 20.86mm or 19mm
Therefore Max deflection = 19.00mm
 6.11mm

From STAAD Results

Fig:1.7 Shear Force Diagram For Mullion Fig: 1.7 Bending Moment Diagram For Mullion

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Figure: 1.8 Deflection Diagram For Mullion

Design of Glass: Using Code ASTM 1300

Glass module: 1.05m (a) x 1.220m (b)

Type of Glass = (10mm) + (12mm Air Gap) + (6mm)
Wind load = 2.305 kPa
The max centre deflection of the glass = 4.00 mm
Max allowable centre deflection of the glass = Span / 90 or 25mm whichever is less
= 1050/90 =11.66 mm
Base Plate Design
Width (B) = 300 mm
Depth (D) = 300 mm
Thickness = 8 mm
Max BM = 0.46 kNm (BM/2)
Check For Connection Bolt
Max Vertical Shear Force = 2.6 Kn (V)
Max Horizontal Shear Force = 2.6 kN (H)
Resultant max shear (V) = 5.7 kNm
Check for mullion bending stress
Min Thickness = 2.5 mm
Dia of hole = 11.5 mm
No. of bolts = 2
No. of interference = 2
Bearing Stress = 49.14 N/mm2
Permissible bearing Stress (6063 T6) = 139 N/mm2

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Figure: 1.9 Ex. Of Glass Façade building

the least, I express my thanks to all of my friends for their

IV. CONCLUSION support during my project.
1. Glass has become a major element in designing modern
commercial or public buildings. Load-bearing structures are
wanted to be delicate systems with a transparent feel. REFERENCES
2. The use of steel in load-bearing structures improves the [1] Analysis and Design of Curtain Wall Systems for High Rise Buildings A
dissertation submitted by Wong Wan Sie, Winxie In fulfilment.
transparency of facades because it has been possible to keep the
[2] Façade Engineering Filtering the external environment.
load-bearing structure slender.
[3] Lighter, more elegant, more resistant and more cost-effective – façade
3. The main aspect in designing steel and glass joints is to engineering profits from the use of laminated safety glass made with
consider the special material properties and behavior of glass. DuPont™ SentryGlas® inter layers.
4. Glass fractures brittle without a forewarning. These [4] Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Centre for Window
properties and behavior concern normal float glass as well as Cladding Technology.
laminated glass and safety glass. [5] Burj Al Dubai Facts and Structural Details Presentation - (Malestrom).
[6] Guidelines for use of glass in building Dr. N.K. Garg.
[7] New age international (P) Limited, Publications.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT [8] Staining of Façade Michael Y L Chew.
[9] Websites
At the completion of this M.E. (Civil-Structure) project, I
[10] http://www.byggmek.lth.se/fileadmin/byggnadsmekanik/publications/tvsm3
feel obliged to extend my gratitude towards all those who made 000/web3071.pdf
valuable contribution throughout the duration of the Project. [11] http://www.arbo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/DESIGN-
I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to my COMPONENTS-FOR-STRUCTURAL-GLAZING.pdf
Guide Dr. Mrudula S. Kulkarni, Her wide knowledge and logical [12] www.facadestructures.com
way of thinking have been of great value for me. Her [13] http://www.interarchinfra.com/application-facade-lnterfaces.asp?lk=lnk15\
understanding and personal guidance have provided a good basis [14] http://www.steelconstruction.info/Facades_and_interfaces
for the present thesis. [15] http://www.rjc.ca/structural_glass_and_facade_engineering
I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to Mr. [16] https://www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk/products/product-categories/glass-
Vishal Sutar (S.B.U. Head, Façade Concept Design Pvt. Ltd, system
Navi Mumbai) for giving me an opportunity to work as an intern
in his organization. His valuable inputs, precise guidance,
incessant encouragement and vigilant supervision were AUTHORS
instrumental in carrying out this work. I truly appreciate all the
First Author – Pallavi Wamanrao Taywade, M.E.Structures,
efforts, he and his staff took in helping me.
M.I.T. Pune, [email protected]
I would like to express my special thanks to my Husband
Second Author –Santosh Dinkar Shejwal, B.E.Civil, T.B.S.L.
Mr. Santosh Shejwal (Sr. Design Engineer at Tata BlueScope
Pune.
steel) for his assistance received during the study, which is
highly appreciable.
Correspondence Author – Dr. M.S. Kulkarni, PHD in
I owe my gratitude to my family who have always stood by
Structures. HOD of Applied Mechanics, M.I.T.Pune.
me and have encouraged me in my every endeavor. Last but not

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