Glass-reinforced steel structures

Abstract

In search for more transparency, sustainability and more slender structures, new methods are needed to use the load-bearing capacity of structures more efficiently. In two buildings, described in this paper, structural glass is successfully applied to increase the steel structure capacity, leading to less material usage and more transparency. The glass is providing stability to the structure by in-plane lateral loading, resulting in a glass-reinforced steel structure without the need for any steel braces. In both projects, the glass detailing is designed pragmatically, so similar future projects can benefit from this development. Additional research is currently in progress for application of in-plane loaded glass in high-rise buildings.