This article describes the characteristics of one type of sealing system used in warm edge glazing units and analyses the possible causes of damage. Attention was focused on the performance of the dual seal, PIB/silicone system. This type of glazing is widely used for modern curtain walls and roofs of office buildings and shopping centres. Study was focused on PIB displacement defects, which affects both the appearance and thermal performance of the curtain wall system. Wide-ranging field surveys were conducted to examine the problems identified in some office buildings. The information gathered in this way was used to identify the critical areas and causes of seal displacement in the analysed insulating glass units (IGUs). Laboratory tests were conducted on PIB and silicone seals retrieved from the removed defective units. The properties of these materials were determined and used to evaluate the applied edge sealing system and build a representative numerical model. Due to the problems encountered in deriving accurate analytical formulas, finite element (FE) approximation was used as a problem solving tool. The generated FE model and strain analysis were the key parts to obtaining a true representation of the actual behaviour of IGUs subjected to various environmental loads, taking into account the influence of the air cavity. Results of computer simulations and laboratory tests were compared for model validation. The effect of changes in ambient pressure was examined, showing the development of tensile strains in the silicone and PIB, which can lead to debonding. The greatest principal strains occur at the silicone/butyl rubber interface and this location should be considered to be the most susceptible to failure. The observations are summarised in the final conclusions. Additionally, as field study showed, after ten years in service, the percentage of damaged units is considerable. More frequent IGUs inspection should cover both appearance and thermal imaging to detect unsealed panels. From the standpoint of both durability and appearance, dual silicone/PIB should be phased out in favour of modern seal systems.

In this paper, an extensive Finite-Element (FE) numerical study is carried out on a glass framing with point mechanical connectors. The models have been calibrated based on literature studies and field research. The simulations have been performed in order to assess the mechanical behavior of the examined glass-aluminum panels. In frame-support glass structures, such as curtain walls, where glass plates are mounted onto a metal framework, the composite behavior between glass and the supporting aluminum elements is usually a problem. It has been showed that an application of elastomer gaskets decreases the stress concentration at the interface between aluminum and glass while does not significantly change the working scheme of the profile. Based on the proposed models, the failure mechanism for wider set of geometrical configurations can be analyzed.

The paper deals with the phenomenon of post-breakage capacity in point-fixed laminated glass elements. It reports the results of an ongoing research project aimed at developing a reinforced point-fixed laminated glass element with locally embedded steel mesh. In total, 36 specimens (300 x 300 mm2º varying in the thickness of component panes (8, 10 and 12 mm) and the diameter of the reinforcing inserts (75, 110 and 150 mm) were tested. The specimens comprised two toughened glass panes, an EVA Clear interlayer and a woven steel mesh consisting of wires (0.35 mm in diameter) at a spacing of 1 x 1 mm2. The tests were carried out in a spatial testing machine allowing the point connector to be loaded at an angle of 45 degrees. This way of loading the fastener corresponds to its loading condition in an actual application (e.g. a glass canopy with diagonal rods). All samples presented similar behaviour during testing. In the first phase, the relationship between the load and the displacement refers to the elastic response of the sample to the load. Following the glass failure, there is a sudden drop in the force due to the loss of tensile stiffness of fractured glass. After this stage, progressive degradation of the samples occurs due to further loading. In this phase, the force is initially increasing and stabilising – this point is considered an ultimate failure (in the post-breakage phase), and the experiment is terminated. For all test series, the reinforcement increases the post-breakage capacity.

Glass is a unique structural material that combines transparency, aesthetics and mechanical performance, making it one of the most important components in contemporary façade engineering. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the structural use of glass in façades, with a particular focus on its mechanical properties, product types, design methodologies and system applications. The study begins with a review of the physical and chemical characteristics of float glass, including its elastic and brittle behaviour, sensitivity to surface defects and strategies for strength enhancement – such as thermal tempering and chemical strengthening. Basic glass products such as laminated glass, insulating glass units and fire-resistant glass are also discussed. A significant portion of the article is dedicated to identifying and analysing common errors that occur at different stages of façade design, construction and maintenance. Examples include issues related to thermal movement, incorrect material selection, inadequate joint detailing and insufficient maintenance strategies, all of which may compromise façade integrity and user safety. The paper also explores advanced façade systems such as unitised modules, double-skin façades, closed cavity façades and long-span glazed façades supported by trusses, cables or glass fins. Case studies of notable architectural applications, including the Markthal in Rotterdam and the Sub-Center Library in Beijing, are used to illustrate current trends and engineering challenges. Finally, the article highlights the ongoing standardization efforts in structural glass design, including the forthcoming Eurocode 10, which aims to formalize glass as a structural material within the European regulatory framework.

This article presents a study of a wall cladding system composed of stainless steel subframe and composite, fibre-reinforced concrete cladding panels, which was been installed on a high-rise public building. The study focused on the assessment of strength, safety and durability of design through laboratory tests and numerical analyses. The laboratory tests were conducted using a threedimensional tests stand and a full-scale mock-up of the wall cladding system built at the laboratory using the actually used materials and cladding panels. The boundary conditions and the test loads corresponded to the values of actions determined during the engineering phase of the high-rise building under analysis. Noteworthy, wind actions were verified by supplementary wind tunnel testing. In addition, the stainless steel was also tested to determine the strength properties of the material actually used in construction. These test were carried out just before commencement of the curtain wall installation. The 3D model was constructed with the application of the finite element method (FEM) to obtain adequate representation of geometry, material performance and structural behaviour of the analysed wall cladding system. Particular attention was paid to determination of the parameters defining the behaviour of the cladding system sub-frame from the angle of plastic deformations of the stainless steel and the resulting failure mechanisms of the members of the structure itself. To this end, the stainless steel was subjected to appropriate performance tests to determine material properties including the values of the proportionality limit and yield strength.