Outline of Testing and Evaluation Program Used in Selection of Adhesives for Transparent Adhesive Joints in All-Glass Load-Bearing Structures

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Architects are increasingly demanding all-glass load-bearing structures with fully transparent adhesive joints. Usually, such structures are classed as nonregulated forms of construction. The Institute of Building Construction at Dresden’s Technische Universität has now obtained the first individual approvals in Germany for all-glass structures with transparent adhesive joints for two buildings in Dresden and Grimma. In these cases, the loads are carried via load-bearing glued frames that rely on a material bond between the individual parts without any metal fixings. This solution is based on the results of many years of development. Currently, various frame corners covering a wide range of parameters are being studied in a follow-up project. The aim is to optimize the adhesive joints and the bonding technology. The requirements placed on the joint are being identified and corresponding adhesive systems researched. Preliminary studies of numerous material specimens form the starting point for determining the material parameters. Small-scale specimens are being tested under various boundary conditions and aging scenarios to establish the strengths of a number of suitable adhesives. These results will enable prototypes to be designed for numerical simulation. Numerical calculations and experimental investigations are being carried out in parallel to optimize the geometry, load-carrying capacity, long-term reliability, and durability of the glued all-glass frame corners. Specimen components are loaded in a testing machine to study the structural effect of these glued glass frame corners. The findings will be incorporated in the design of the adhesive joint and in the development of a numerical simulation for the glued connection. Data for executing an adhesive joint, specific to each adhesive and crucial for the quality of the transparency, conclude the project.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)124-151
Number of pages28
JournalJournal of ASTM International
Volume9
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2012
Peer-reviewedYes

Symposium

TitleFourth Symposium on Durability of Building and Construction
Sealants and Adhesives
Conference number
Duration16 - 17 June 2011
Degree of recognitionInternational event
Location
CityAnaheim
CountryUnited States of America

External IDs

Scopus 84873329230

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Subject groups, research areas, subject areas according to Destatis