Designing with Glass as a Structural Material

Designing with Glass as a Structural Material

Introduction

This course aims to provide engineers and other construction professionals with a clear understanding of the behaviour of glass as a structural material. It will also provide guidance on how to undertake structural design using glass, particularly when codes of practice are unavailable or contradictory. Particular emphasis is on designing glass structures to fail safely, by reference to reallife examples.

Course Content:

Basic properties

• Raw materials, wonder materials, properties, strength, material comparison.

Availability

• History of manufacture, processes and glass types, processed glasses, supplier and glass design.

Codes of Practice

• Current, forthcoming and international codes of practice; scope; the need for judgement.

Design

• Context; modes of failure; consequences for design; development of details.

Testing

• Types of test; material quality; development, proof and performance testing; proof testing.

Speakers:

Christopher Jofeh

Christopher Jofeh, BSc(Eng), HonDSc, CEng, MICE, MIStructE, ACGI, PE (California), of Ove Arup & Partners was the consultant to the task force that produced the IStructE guide to the structural use of glass in buildings. His most recent glass design is the waterline plate at the SS Great Britain in its dry dock in Bristol.

Graham Dodd

Graham Dodd, BEng, CEng, MIMechE, of Arup Materials Consulting has 18 years experience in the structural design of glass, on a variety of projects ranging from high rise facades to suspended glass sculptures. His recent projects include the design of cladding for the extension of Tate Modern and failure investigation of a marine aquarium.