Distribution of environmental loads in double-glazed insulating glass units placed non-vertically

Abstract

Insulating glass units (IGUs) transfer climate loads in a specific way. The gas in the sealed gaps between the component glass panes changes its parameters when the weather conditions change, which affects the resultant load of each of the component panes of the IGU. In the calculation models related to the phenomenon described, the vertical placing of glass is most often assumed and the glass self-weight load is omitted. The purpose of this article is to analyze the impact of horizontal or diagonal placing on static quantities in doubleglazing IGUs under climatic loads. Taking into account the effect of self-weight required appropriate modification of the authors’ calculation model. On the basis of the presented examples, conclusions were drawn about the resultant load, deflection and stress in IGUs of various structure loaded with variable atmospheric pressure, temperature, and wind.

Keywords

• glass in construction
• insulating glass units
• climatic loads of buildings