Today’s architecture still shows a growing desire for “dematerialised” building envelopes and components. Therefore, glass is widely used in façades. To achieve even greater transparency, engineers and architects are faced with the challenge of having to design nearly invisible connections for this brittle material. Acrylates permit transparent connections with a high optical quality.
To qualify for structural uses their material behaviour and durability need to be assessed by intensive testing. A promising application, a bonded frame for an all-glass building envelope, was developed from vision to final solution. This paper presents the relevant experimental analysis and manufacturing technology studies. Essential material properties for the structural design could be determined by testing small specimens. Tests on full-size frame corners showed successful results and finally provide the basis for the realisation of an all-glass structure. The examination of the curing process resulted in the identification of an appropriate processing method.