Investigation of the thermal response and breakage mechanism of point-supported glass facade under wind load

Abstract

Glass façade has gradually become main external wall material in high-rise buildings due to its multi-functionalization and diversification. Nevertheless, glass is relatively fragile and prone to fracture when subjected to the coupling effect of fire and external wind load that inevitably significant influences the mechanical property of glass facades in high-rise buildings. Newly formed vents caused through glass breakage are especially vital for the growth of ventilated controlled enclosure fire and play a crucial role in interactive-external tridimensional fire development. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the mechanism of thermal fracture of glass façades under wind load. In the present study, a total of nine tests were performed to investigate the fracture mechanism of point-supported glass facades under various wind speeds combined with fire. Measurements were conducted for the first breakage time, glass surface temperature, and crack initiation and propagation. Numerical simulation, based on finite element method (FEM) was conducted to predict the temperature variation at the ambient side surface of glass panel. The results have implications concerning fire resistance designs for point-supported glazing assemblies in high-rise buildings.