Kinetic Thin Glass Façade

Abstract

With the rapid development of research and production techniques, the construction industry shifts increasingly towards more demanding and ambitious projects. As a consequence, new types of use for traditional building materials emerge to create more prestigious buildings. As a relatively new product, ultra-thin glass constitutes a promising prospect in this regard due to its low weight and its ability to be bent up to small radii. A possible application is a kinetic thin glass façade, where the glass is bent to ventilate the interior. However, the realisation of this concept poses a number of challenges. These include the difficulty of achieving water- and airtightness at its bent edges, as well as the lack of stiffness of the glass and its compliance with safety regulations, requiring its lamination.

The aim of this study is to propose a possible design with the intention to tackle the named challenges. To this end, the research question is as follows: How can a kinetic façade element featuring a bendable thin glass panel be designed to be water- and airtight in closed condition? This question involves both structural and design aspects that need to be approached.

The research question is answered through a structural analysis part and a part dedicated to the investigation of possible solutions for achieving water- and airtightness. The structural analysis is performed via numerical analysis to test several glass laminate configurations under bending and wind load. The selected configuration consists of two thin glass sheets with a thickness of 0.55 mm laminated by a 0.38 mm – thick soft acoustic interlayer. The exploration of solutions for water- and airtightness is done via proposal and critical assessment of three possible alternatives, one of which is selected for further elaboration to create a final product. The selected proposal involves the use of an electro-permanent magnetic frame combined with a gasket attracting a metal strip attached to the glazing and thus creating a water- and airtight barrier. At the end, a mock-up of smaller scale is built to showcase the mode of operation of the final product.

Consequently, this paper presents a possible solution for the posed question to offer an insight into the field and to form a basis for further research for the development of a similar product. Many choices made during this research are subjective and are open for improvement or suggestions for a different approach. In addition, further research could be undertaken to investigate the possibility to create an insulating kinetic thin glass unit, which would be a step further towards the development of a product fulfilling the main requirements of a single-skin façade.