The document summarizes research on three building projects that used glass beams in structural glazing: a glass roof for the International Chamber of Commerce in Munich with five main glass beams; a glazed roof over Great Western Dock in Bristol with three glass beams supporting a waterline; and a roof at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London with 73 glass beams. It compares the projects in terms of elements supported, number of beams, beam dimensions, spans, supported areas, glass types and layers, connection details, and special features. Sources of information are provided.

1. Research on
building projects
in structural
glazing
(three projects in
the field of glass
beams)

2. Introduction
Structural Glazing
Structural glazing is a building process where the glass itself supports part of the
structure. It is also used to describe glass that is bonded together without any
framing or extra support.
Advantages of Structural Glazing
▪ Allows for broader architectural design
flexibility
▪ Increases the thermal efficiency of
buildings, because the exterior exposure of
metal framing is either reduced or
eliminated
▪ Reduces or eliminates water and air
infiltration
▪ Reduces the potential for thermal breakage
of glass

3. Definition
Glass Beams
• Glass is as strong as aluminum when used as a beam in either a vertical or horizontal situation.
• A glass beam is constructed from layers of toughened glass laminated together.
• The number of layers and thickness of the glass will be dependent on the span needed.
• For stability it is necessary for either end of the beam to be secured and this is most usually done
with a stainless steel shoe, into which the beam is structurally bonded.

4. What information
characterizes the
building project?
How do you
give
documentat
ion?
How do you compare
the projects in order to
analyze the discovered
results?
What
sources are
available?
TASK
Do research on building
projects in structural
glazing
Find three projects in the
field of glass beams
Research and structure
information
What information is necessary?

5. Glass roof for
International Chamber of Commerce (IHK) Munich

6. Glass roof for
International Chamber of Commerce (IHK) Munich
Architects:
Betsch Architekten, Munich
Engineers:
Ludwig Und Weiler Gmbh, Augsburg
Specialist Contractor:
Andreas Oswald Gmbh, Munich
Construction Completed:
2002

7. Type of supported
element
Roof
Number of beams Five main beams
Dimensions Outer: 2*(12mm*0.9m*4.5m)
Inner: (10mm+19mm+10mm)*0.9m*4.5m
Full Span/weight 14m/3.5 tones
Supported area 151.2 square meters
Glass type/
Number of glass
layers
Outer Glass Fins (2 x 12 mm heat- strengthened glass)
Inner Glass Fins (3-layer laminate with a 19 mm fully
tempered glass pane sandwiched between two 10
mm panes)
Connection
details
Bearing bolt connections at the end and center points
of the fins. The main beams are stabilized by the
binding piece connection of the secondary beams .
Any other
specialties
Multipart simply supported single span .
Primary load-bearing structure of the lean-to roof
with an incline of 10°.
Specification
M10 bolts

8. Glazed roof great western dock, Bristol

9. Glazed roof great western dock, Bristol
Architects:
Alec French Architects, Bristol
Engineers:
Arup, London
Specialist Contractor:
Space Decks Ltd, Chard
Construction Completed:
2005

10. Type of
supported
element
Waterline Glass Plate
Number of
beams
3
Dimensions (10mm*0.9m*4.5m)
Full Span/weight 14m,weighing about 50 tones
Supported area about 1000 square meters
Glass type/
Number of glass
layers
To maximize the reliability by
avoiding nickel sulphide inclusion breakages,
Heat-strengthened glass was chosen
Connection
details
3 x 10 mm heat-treated glass are connected to
the
main steel beams by shoe brackets.
Any other
specialties
supports a bow-to-stern flow of 50 mm of water
Specification

11. Victoria & Albert Museum, London

12. Victoria & Albert Museum, London
Architecture:
MUMA
Engineer:
Dewhurst Macfarlane Engineers
Construction Completed:
2009
Award:
‘Structural Design of the Year Award’
World Architecture Festival 2010

13. Type of supported
element Roof
Number of beams 73
Dimensions 11m*450mm*36mm
Full Span span up to 11 meters
Supported area approximately 370 square meters
Glass type/
Number of glass
layers
heat-strengthened
three, 12mm-thick toughened white glass
panels with a white PVB interlayer
Connection details A stainless-steel profile is glued onto the
upper side of the glass beams and connects
the roof panels with the clamping plates
Any other
specialties
cold-twisted glass panels as both laminated
and insulated .
The ‘hypar surface’ of the warped roof is
created by ‘cold bended’ IGU panels.
Specification

14. Comparison overview
TOPICS (IHK) Munich Dock, Bristol Museum, London
Type of supported
element
Roof Waterline Glass Plate Roof
Number of beams 5 3 73
Dimensions Outer: 2*(12mm*0.9m*4.5m)
Inner:(10mm+19mm+10mm)*0.
9m*4.5m
10mm*0.9m*4.5m 11m*450mm*36mm
Full Span 14 meters 14 meters 11 meters
Supported area 151.2 square meters 1000 square meters 370 square meters
Glass type/
Number of glass
layers
Outer (heat- strengthened glass)
Inner (3-layer laminate fully
tempered glass )
Heat-strengthened heat-strengthened
three, 12mm-thick
Connection details Bearing bolt connections Main steel beams by shoe
brackets.
Stainless-steel profile is glued
on upper side of beam

15. • www.arbo.co.uk/wp-content/.../11/Structural-Glazing-Information
• http://www.cantifix.co.uk/components/glass_beams
• Glass Structures: Design and Construction of Self-supporting Skins By
Jan Wurm (chapter 7-projects)
• http://www.octatube.nl/en/projects/4/victoria-albert-museum/
• http://quintinlake.photoshelter.com/gallery/SS-Great-Britain-passenger-
steamship-Isambard-Kingdom-Brunel-Bristol-UK/G00005UGnZdzmLRk
Sources of Information