LOCA-Curve
| Project Title | LOCA-Curve |
| Project Subtitle | laminating and manufacturing technology for cold-formed thin glass for application in lightweight and highly transparent free-form façades |
| Project Leader | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Engelmann (TU Dresden) |
| Researcher | Dipl.-Ing. Paulina Bukieda (TU Dresden) |
| Partners | TTEC GmbH Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH |
| Funding | BMWK – Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM) |
| Time Span | 2023-2024 |
Project Description
Thin glass is generally new in facade applications. Current development trends show the relevance of composites of thin glass and polymers for stiffening and weight reduction. However, these do not yet go beyond flat composite glass elements.
The aim of this research project is the development of a novel laminating and manufacturing technology for cold-formed thin glass for application in lightweight and highly transparent free-form façades. The elements consist of at least two pre-shaped thin glass sheets, between which a transparent polymer is sandwiched as a stiffening core. The effective coupling of the components and the membrane effect result in high stiffnesses combined with a significantly reduced weight. The transparent polymer core, as a Liquid-Optical-Clear Adhesive (LOCA), is casted directly between the two cold-formed thin glass sheets using the liquid lamination technology (cast resin lamination process to produce a composite) and then cured. Due to its adhesion to the glass surface and its intrinsic stiffness, a deformed thin glass composite element is formed.
For the production of the composite elements, the technological manufacturing processes (preforming, fixing, application, curing) needs to be developed. In addition, the LOCA systems must be analyzed, selected and adapted for the specific requirements in the façade application. In order to prove the structural requirements regarding load-bearing capacity, durability, appearance and safety, the novel laminated glasses are widely characterized. The laminating and manufacturing technology for cold-formed thin glass enables the realization of complex geometries and thus expands the design and shaping possibilities for highly transparent free-form façades.
Contact Person TU Dresden
© Franziska Rehde
Research Associate
NameDr.-Ing. Paulina Bukieda
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 06-011 August-Bebel-Straße 30
01219 Dresden
© Franziska Rehde
Professor of Sustainable Building Construction
NameProf. Dr.-Ing. Michael Engelmann
Head of the Institute of Building Construction
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Institute of Building Construction
Institute of Building Construction
Visiting address:
ABS 30, Haus 116, 06-018 August-Bebel-Straße 30
01219 Dresden