Durability assessment of structural sealant glazing systems applying a performance test method

Abstract

During the service life of a Structural Sealant Glazing (SSG) facade, its silicone bond is simultaneously exposed to climatic and mechanical loads. Current durability assessment methods yet schedule separate test programmes for accelerated weathering and mechanical loading. This study presents a durability test that applies mechanical loading and weather cycling simultaneously simulating 50 years of use. Two common structural sealants are tested. The mechanical behaviour of medium-scale system specimens in tension, compression and shear is recorded for performance assessment during exposure. Moduli and dissipated energies show a characteristic decrease, indicating stress relaxation and degradation. Tensile and shear moduli and strengths of sections cut out from the system specimens after exposure are notably reduced by combined loading compared to those of reference and weathered specimens. Differences between performance and durability characteristics of the two sealants are consistent, also regarding supplementary visual inspection and hardness measurements. The approach introduced in this article provides a basis for more comprehensive performance-related durability testing of SSG-systems.