Components

Components Sizing

We sized components according to the guidelines for structural glass design[3]. Since we have relatively long spans, we also size the facade panels as 3x10mm rather than 3x8mm.

The depth of the portal frames is sized between 1/12th and 1/15th of their respective lengths.

As far as glass type goes, our preference for the facade panels is to use low-iron annealed glass. Since the goal of the structure is to observe the aurora borealis, it is important that this view is as undistorted as possible.

The structural elements will be heat strengthened. Although tempered glass has superior structural qualities, when they break they shatter in tiny fragments which lose all their structural integrity. Even in a lamination it is safer to use strengthened glass, which breaks into bigger pieces that can still retain their strength because they are glued together.

Our main connections will be embedded connections. The process of embedding a steel element is to first place the bottom panel then laminate a panel with the outline of the steel element cut out and the steel element itself, and finally laminate a new panel on top which sandwhiches the steel element in place.

Sandwhiching of embedded connections

Components Component Overview

Below is an overview of the glass components that will be used in the construction of our building. We labeled every component in pink which can be used to identify specific elements in the assembly manual.

Components Restrictions

Utilizing the product catalogue by AGC glass, a full list of glass dimensions and quantities were determined. Sheets of glass from the float line come in a few set dimensions based on the capacity of the manufacturing plant. The glass utilized was selected from the AGC product catalogue and is called Planibel Linea Azzurra[4] .

Available dimensions of glass sheets are 3210x2250, 3210x5100, and 3210x6000, which can be cut and processed in one location. Glass facades require the use of three laminations of 25mm glass. As of now Cuneo and Moustier plant are the only plants that manufactures 25mm thick panels[5]. These panels can be transported in a standard 12110mm long container box after being processed[6] . To reduce the amount of glass manufactured, the facade panels are sized from the following glass sheet dimensions:

Facades Glass - 3x25mm Lamination F4 and F5: 3210x5100 F3: 3210x5100 F2: 3210x6000 F1: 3210x6000 a maximum thickness of 15mm. Cut and laminated glass for the facades can be transported in a standard 5500mm container box while fins must be transported by Sedak, a manufacturer that has the production capabilities of laminating and treating oversized glass components. The fin panels will be transported the standard method of oversized glass, through truck and then transported via shipment. A 23000mm long inloader must be used for glass units up to 16000mm long on glass racks[7]. Six complete fins can be sized from the following oversized glass dimensions:

Fins - 3x10mm Lamination P1 and P3: XL4 16000x12000

Crown Panel - 3x10mm Lamination R1: XL1 6000X7000

Front Facade D1: XL1 6000X7000

Core - 3x10mm Lamination C1 and C2: 3210x5100

Crown - 3x10mm Lamination R2: 3210x5100

Due to the dimension and span of the portal fins, the glass portals are to be manufactured as oversized glass sheets, which have