GLASSBRACE
| Project-Title | GLASSBRACE |
| Project-Subtitle | Bracing glass elements for external additions to the building envelope |
| Project director | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Weller |
| Researcher | Dr.-Ing. Felix Nicklisch Dipl.-Ing. Johannes Giese-Hinz |
| Partners | BONDA Balkon und Glasbau GmbH Thiele Glas Werk GmbH VERROTEC GmbH |
| Funding | BMWi - Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM) |
| Time Span | 2020-2022 |
Project Description
For timber buildings as well as when upgrading buildings in stock, retrofitted bay windows, loggias and balconies are attached to the building envelope. Loads are then either transferred vertically by columns that are anchored to the existing building structure, or horizontally induced to the front side of the floor platform, with the balcony being held in place by tie rods that are attached to the load-bearing exterior wall. However, Architects and clients demand column-free solutions without visible rods for their glass balustrades in order to have a high-quality appearance glazing whilst preventing to open spaces for dirt to amass.
The aim of the research is therefore to develop a stiffening glass element that takes over the essential load transfer of loggias that cantilever out of the building envelope. The glass elements are to be comprised of a glazing unit and two adapter profiles bonded by structural adhesives. This way, so far constructively unused load-bearing capacities of the panes are exploited to brace the glass logia. In addition, the construction has to resist soft body impact unharmed to account for user safety.
The Institute of building constructions is responsible for the development of the structural bond, which includes the selection of suitable adhesives as well as the characterisation of mechanical properties by test programmes tailored to the special application. The bonding strength will be examined using specimen made of the specific adherends and elastic joint before and after artificial aging.
Decisive for the success of the project are new observations on the load-bearing capacities of the adhesives regarding high permanent shear loads in the joint, which will be covered by creep experiments of different magnitudes.
The corporate members of the project will develop the necessary construction details, a suitable glass structure and a new production line for bonding the stiffening elements. The engineering office involved is responsible for the evaluation by means of a specifically generated numerical model that takes equal account of soft body impact and in-plane loading.
Contact Persons TU Dresden
© Franziska Rehde
Research Associate
NameDr.-Ing. Felix Nicklisch
Group Leader Adhesive Bonding & Laminates
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Institute of Building Construction
Institute of Building Construction
Visiting address:
ABS 30, Haus 116, Room 06-022 August-Bebel-Straße 30
01219 Dresden
© Franziska Rehde
Research Associate
NameDipl.-Ing. Johannes Giese-Hinz
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Institute of Building Construction
Institute of Building Construction
Visiting address:
ABS 30, Haus 116, Room 06-021 August-Bebel-Straße 30
01219 Dresden
© Franziska Rehde
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Weller
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Institute of Building Construction
Institute of Building Construction
Visiting address:
ABS 30, Haus 116, Raum 06-017 August-Bebel-Straße 30
01219 Dresden