Abstract
This paper presents a numerical analysis of a steel double-arm connector, according to the authors’ solution, designed for fixation of glass façades. The analysis was carried out in order to obtain a distribution of stresses and displacements, on the basis of which global displacements and maximum stresses were determined. An additional element of the solution was the use of the M8 bolt, as a linking element of the steel walls of both arms. The numerical simulation was performed using the ADINA program, which is based on the finite element method (FEM). The dynamic effect of wind gusts on the glass façade was assumed, taking into account both wind pressure and suction. The adoption of a rectangular element of the glass façade causes an unfavorable load distribution at the connection point. The conducted research allowed to determine displacements and stresses in a steel connector made of S355JR steel. The applicability of the proposed solution for glass façades with a height of up to 100 m has been demonstrated.
Highlights
Due to the development of technologies related to the improvement of thermal and mechanical properties of building glass, glass façades have become one of the most characteristic elements of urban development
The façades can be divided into three main types: post-and-beam façades - panes are embedded in the frame supporting structure, through flexible washers and gaskets, structural glazing systems - insulating glass unit (IGU) are glued on the edges, often through the so-called stepping edge, for the supporting structure with silicone adhesive, experimental tests on adhesives for structural glass-metal connections are presented in [11] point supported glass façade (PSGF) - glass panels are connected to the supporting structure with point connectors, the ends of which are placed through holes drilled in the glass
A similar analysis for a single-arm connector was presented in the article [28], which showed that coupling the walls of the connector corps with a single bolt allows to reduce the maximum stress in this connector, compared to the model without bolts or with two bolts
Summary
Due to the development of technologies related to the improvement of thermal and mechanical properties of building glass, glass façades have become one of the most characteristic elements of urban development. Tempered glass (ESG), due to the introduction of a positive compressive pre-tensioning in the production process (in the nearsurface glass layer and around the edge) has several times more bending strength, and above all improved resistance to local temperature variation - this is important for façades, where thermal stresses are a basic problem. In the structural analysis and strength calculations, the glass is treated as a filling - the supporting structure is responsible for transfer of loads from glass panes to the ground or building elements In this context, the façades can be divided into three main types: post-and-beam façades - panes are embedded in the frame supporting structure, through flexible washers and gaskets, structural glazing systems - IGUs are glued on the edges, often through the so-called stepping edge, for the supporting structure with silicone adhesive, experimental tests on adhesives for structural glass-metal connections are presented in [11] point supported glass façade (PSGF) - glass panels are connected to the supporting structure with point connectors, the ends of which are placed through holes drilled in the glass. For the safety of the structure, the design of a suitable connector is one of the important elements
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