Earthquake damage resistant architectural glass panels

Richard A. Behr, Paul A. Kremer, Ali M. Memari

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The Building Envelope Research Laboratory (BERL) in the Architectural Engineering Department at the Pennsylvania State University has devised and developed the concept of using architectural glass panels with modified corner geometries to improve their resistance to damage during earthquakes. The primary aspects of the invention are the removal of material at glass panel corners (e.g., by rounding the glass corners) and subsequent finishing of the glass edges in the modified corner regions to minimize protrusions and edge surface roughness. The invention is low in incremental cost and is applicable to a wide variety of architectural glass types and wall system types. Appropriately constructed "rounded corner" glass panels were found to increase significantly the serviceability (i.e., the dynamic racking displacement magnitude that can be accommodated before glass cracking occurs) and, to a lesser extent, the glass fallout resistance of architectural glass panels used in building wall systems. The effects of corner radii and glass edge finish conditions on the glass cracking and glass fallout resistances of rounded corner glass panels subjected to dynamic racking displacements are summarized.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationBuilding Integration Solutions
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the Architectural Engineering 2003 Conference
EditorsM. Lui, M. Lui, K.M. Parfitt
Pages240-244
Number of pages5
StatePublished - 2003
EventBuilding Integration Solutions: Proceedings of the Architectural Engineering 2003 Conference - Austin, TX, United States
Duration: Sep 17 2003Sep 20 2003

Publication series

NameArchitectural Engineering, Building Integration Solutions

Other

OtherBuilding Integration Solutions: Proceedings of the Architectural Engineering 2003 Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAustin, TX
Period9/17/039/20/03

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Architecture

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