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Bringing Glass Giants to life: Fabrication of mass-optimized structural glass components of complex form

IOANNIDIS, MENANDROS (author)

Current research conducted at TU Delft focused on utilizing structural Topology Optimization (TO) for designing large monolithic cast glass structures with maximum stiffness and minimum mass. These structures demonstrated improved manufacturability in terms of time, energy, and cost efficiency due to their mass efficiency, which results in...

master thesis 2023

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Just Glass: Development of a Topology Optimization Algorithm for a Mass-Optimized Cast Glass Component.

Koniari, Anna Maria (author)

This thesis continues the investigation in the direction of exploring the potential regarding the use of Topology Optimization techniques for the design of cast glass structures. Previous theses in TU Delft have underlined the large potential for the design of these megaliths, but at the same time they have also underlined the strong limitations...

master thesis 2022

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RE-FACADE GLASS PANELS: made by Construction & Demolition Recycled Glass

Matskidou, Isidora (author)

Although glass is a known material for centuries, extensive usage and today’s technology –with modern construction methods– made glass one of the most valuable materials of the present and future. Witnessing an immense progression and a broad innovative boost in the construction field, creating the perfect link between indoor and outdoor...

master thesis 2022

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Product development of Hybrid Glass Blocks: Rethinking shape, manufacturing process and assembly system

Sonar, Anurag (author)

Glass has been widely used in the construction industry since the early nineteenth century. It was most commonly used in the form of a window, which is a flat glass panel. Glass has natural optical properties and is resistant to weather, making it ideal for use as a facade material. Glass’s novel applications in the built environment have led us...

master thesis 2022

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Re-LOOP TRANSPARENCY: Exploring the potential of combining transparency and circularity in an insulated glass unit

Kouvela, Sofia (author)

Glass is one of the oldest building materials used in the building envelope. Its attractiveness to architects, designers and users is mainly due to its fascinating ability to combine two otherwise contradictory functions; to separate and protect the interior from the exterior environment while at the same time allow for openness by letting...

master thesis 2022

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The Topology Optimised Glass Bridge

Koopman, Daan (author)

This research investigates how to design a glass pedestrian bridge that is structurally optimised for multiple load scenario’s and feasible in terms of fabrication and construction. Linear glass elements such as panes have limited freedom of shape. On the other hand, cast glass can be produced into any shape possible. When glass is used in large...

master thesis 2021

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Glass that strengthens floors, facilitates change, and tells stories

Poon, Stefanie (author)

This text is an investigation of process. It outlines the design development of a historic concrete slab retrofit using glass. By working through iterations that build off each other, it chronicles the steady unfolding of the concept coming into being. Materiality, statics, construction, and aesthetics are the parameters that are mediated in a...

master thesis 2021

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Hybrid Glass Block: Load bearing and thermally sound glass block

Nathani, Twinkle (author)

The wide application of glass in buildings is due to its innate transparency and durability. This quality has led to the development of hollow glass blocks during the industrial revolution. These blocks are durable, fire-resistant, exhibit heat resistance, and sound deadening properties. In recent years, new explorations have begun to uncover...

master thesis 2021

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Rolling in Transparency: Exploring the potential of embedding connections in cast glass components

Dasopoulou, Grammatiki (author)

It has been only a few decades since glass has started revealing its full potential and emerged in the engineering world in three-dimensional repetitive cast glass units with the shape and size of typical masonry bricks. Cast glass stands as the most competitive and novel answer to the relentless eagerness for transparency in the built...

master thesis 2020

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Topologically Optimised Cast Glass Shell: Topological optimisation and new fabrication methods for compressive free-form glass structures

Naous, Daniella (author)

Glass is a material which can be seen as a double-edged sword. Its monolithic, smooth, and transparent look transmits a sense of elegance and simplicity. However, due to its brittle mechanical property, it can create complex engineering challenges when intended for a structural load-bearing application. Many forget glass has a comparable...

master thesis 2020

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Glass Giants: Mass-optimized massive cast glass slab

Stefanaki, Maria Iro (author)

The current thesis aims to explore the potential of producing large-scale structural cast glass elements with the help of 3d printed sand moulds. Until now, mostly small blocks from structural cast glass have been generated in the building industry, revealing a research gap regarding massive components. Apart from the size, the unlimited shape...

master thesis 2020

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Circular economy in construction: re-use NS train windows as a new construction component

Kyanidou, Margarita (author)

The building industry is a significant waste contributor. Especially at the end-of-life of the building it causes an enormous impact on the environment. Construction solid waste has caused serious environmental problems. Reuse, recycling and reduction of construction materials have been advocated for many years, and various methods have been...

master thesis 2020

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Facade Design with Interlocking Cast Glass System based on Structural Behaviour Investigation

Yang, Heran (author)

Glass is a material with high potentiality in a structural application. Brittleness has always been challenging for glass structure. Recyclability is also challenging for the current glass application since the chemical bonding is contaminating the recipe. Interlocking cast glass construction offers an interesting bypass to solve these two...

master thesis 2019

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Shaping transparent sand in sand: Fabricating topologically optimised cast glass column using sand moulds

Bhatia, Ivneet (author)

This research investigates the potential of 3D printed sand moulds for casting structural glass column having optimised cross section. Conventionally, Glass, in architectural industry, has been used in form of sheets (Float glass) due to ease of fabrication of planar sheets, but in last few years, cast glass bricks have been used for creating...

master thesis 2019

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A structural concept for a demountable glass column: An explorative design study about interlocking, laminated glass components

Verduyn, Tanya (author)

The high compressive strength of the material glass in combination with its transparency, make it an attractive material to use for a column. Though different types and configurations of glass columns have been subject of academic research, a demountable glass column made from laminated components remains unexplored. This structural concept...

master thesis 2018

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Structural Design Exploration of High-rise Design Concepts Using Genetic Algorithms

Schagen, Roland (author)

The adoption of optimization algorithms has been slower in conceptual design compared to the later design phases. The choices made during the conceptual design phase have a large impact on the performance of the result. This research aims to find out why it is so hard to use optimization in conceptual design. Then a method is proposed to solve...

master thesis 2018

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Glass Sandwich Panel: Exploring the potential of glass sandwich structures for relatively lightweight planar elements with high stiffness and controlled transparency.

Vitalis, Dimitris (author)

Transparency is embraced more and more in contemporary architecture and therefore glass has become one of the most important materials in the building industry. In structural glass applications the elements are dimensioned based on stiffness and strength requirements. This research investigates the potential of glass sandwich structures as a way...

master thesis 2017

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Exploring the effects of post-tensioning an all glass column of the bundled type to enhance slenderness and promote safe failure behavior

Van den Broek, E.A.M. (author)

The long and slender structural member, the elastic column, fails due to buckling. Buckling is a predictable, and visible, mode of failure allowing for timely repairs or replacement. This is no longer true when we look at long and slender columns made out of glass as glass is a brittle material. At the moment the critical buckling force is...

master thesis 2017

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Bamboo and Thin Glass: Structural analysis of bending bamboo and thin glass

Ganatra, P. (author)

To obtain free form geometry for the roof structure, bamboo canes are pre-bent. Thin glass is also cold bent and cladded. The tolerances that occur in bamboo construction are accounted by this flexibility of thin glass. Hence bending behavior of both the materials is studied. Different types of cladding options and connection systems are...

master thesis 2016

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Transparent restoration of a historic building using structural glass elements

Smilde, J.A. (author)

The conversation about the restoration materialization of historic buildings is an ongoing debate. Additions are allowed only if they do not detract from the interesting parts of the building, integrate harmoniously, yet are distinguishable to prevent architectural falsification of the monument. Completely transparent additions to historic...

master thesis 2016