Research Fields
Table of contents
Research Mission
The research of the Institute of Building Construction is situated in the domain of Glass & Facade Construction. The research mission is to develop safe, sustainable and smart glass and facade constructions. The research involves experimental, analytical and numerical investigations. The experimental research is performed at the Institute's Friedrich-Siemens-Laboratory that is specialised in testing of glass, facades, adhesives and laminates.
Research Groups
The research on Glass & Facade Construction is divided over three research groups, which are Glass Design & Construction, Energy Efficiency & Sustainability and Adhesive Bonding & Laminates. Short descriptions of the research groups are provided below.
Glass Design & Construction
Load-bearing glass is the focus of the “Glass Design & Construction” research group at the Institute of Building Construction. Topics range from developing innovative metal fixtures on the edges of the glass panes, to innovative water-filled facade elements and transparent glass-plastic hybrid panels, right up to materials analysis in relation to the glass refining process.
Energy Efficiency & Sustainability
This group looks at environmentally sound and sustainable methods of construction for glass facades. Their focus is on the intelligent combination of the functions of light control, ventilation, and internal temperature regulation within an energy-efficient building envelope. The group also has expertise in the field of integrated photovoltaic and solar thermal energy systems.
Adhesive Bonding & Laminates
Particularly when it comes to glass, adhesion is a suitable bonding technology for the material and can be used strategically to support a wide range of requirements in terms of aesthetics and function. The research group’s activities investigate the extent to which this technology can be implemented in practice with load-bearing glass structures.