Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The introduction of toughened glass into the construction industry has had several significant consequences. For the first time, glass panels can be used without continuous edge supports, and as a result can be used as load-bearing element. An excellent and very common example of the use of glass as structural element is a freestanding glass balustrade.
During an undergraduate investigation, a number of impact tests were performed on continuous supported freestanding glass balustrade panels at the University of Stellenbosch [6]. It was observed that none of the balustrade panels complied with the guidelines for impact loading stipulated in the SABS [7] loading standards. The failure to meet the loading requirements highlighted the need to investigate the design of glass balustrades.
This thesis describes the investigation undertaken to determine the static- and dynamic loading capacity of freestanding glass balustrades. Following a review of South African and international design standards, the static- and dynamic material properties of toughened glass was established by means of a laboratory test series. The laboratory test series consisted of both a destructive laboratory test series and finite element analysis, the outcome of which determined the static- and dynamic material properties of toughened glass. The series also included the influence of different connection types.
A second phase employed the identified material properties of toughened glass to determine the loading capacity of full-scale balustrades. Using finite elements each balustrade set-up was loaded as required by the relevant South African loading standards. The finite element analyses identified which balustrade set-ups could resist the required imposed loads.
Finally, a second laboratory test series was undertaken, the aim of which was to verify the finite element results. The successful resistance of the tested balustrade set-ups confirmed the finite element model.
Recommendation to the existing design- and loading standards are made based on the results of the thesis.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/3009 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Goosen, Alberto |
| Contributors | Wium, J. A., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Civil Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 8702445 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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