Dow Corning

Silicone Structural Glazing

The Art of the Possible

Design Creativity
 Introduction
Todays Aim
To discuss the concept of structural glazing
Appreciate the necessity for silicone technology as the choice for
the bonding adhesive
Review different structural glazing systems versus other glass
systems in use

Todays Objective
Demonstrate what can be achieved with silicone structural glazing
Outline the benefits of structural glazing
Inform of the support given by silicone manufacturers in system
design
 Introduction
Todays Outcome
Understand the principles of silicone structural glazing and its
benefits
Be aware of the advantages and safety offered by silicone
structural glazing technology
Compare different structural and mechanically glazed systems and
understand the difference
Make informed decisions on aesthetics at sketch design stage
Know the technical benefits of structural glazing including
earthquake, bomb blast and fire resistance
Specify structural glazing to European standards
Understand what support is necessary from manufacturers in
designing and specifying structural glazing
 Agenda
Definition of silicone structural glazing
Benefits of silicone structural glazing
Advantages of silicone technology
Silicone structural glazing systems in use
Protective functions of silicone structural glazing
European standards
Overview of silicone manufacturer support
Conclusion
Question & Answer Session
 Structural Glazing
Structural Silicone Glazing = structurally bonding
units (glass, stone, metal sheets, ) to the
supportive frame with a specially designed
structural silicone
Strong and long term adhesive properties, UV
resistance, longevity and durability of Silicones
Glass, Ceramics, Metals, Stone and Composite
panels
Limitless Design possibilities for Architects e.g.
frameless invisible mullion facades
Satisfies Essential requirements for a
Construction as defined in Europe and Globally
Offer several Key advantages for building owner
Ideal for New building and Renovation
Structural Glazing - Systems
Two-Sided Systems
Either the vertical or the horizontal joints are bonded to
the structure and support the live load, whilst the two
remaining sides are either mechanically fixed and support
the dead load or are not structurally supported by a frame

Four-Sided Systems
Structural silicone bonds all four sides with the dead load
either supported mechanically by a supporting fin or by
the silicone alone
Structural Glazing - Systems
Unsupported Systems
In these systems, the dead load weight of the panel is
supported by the structural silicone joint. Structural
sealants can support the weight of the glass provided
stresses do not exceed the allowed design stress for dead
load.

Bolted Glass Systems

These systems provide a flush surface by using stainless
steel fixings housed in countersunk holes to fix the glass
faade back to the structure, thus avoiding using a
conventional framework
Structural glazing with Symmetric Insulated Glass Units
Structural Glazing with Stepped-Insulated Glass Units
Mechanical Glazing
Each window or panel is
mechanically retained
Silicone sealants are not
utilised for adhering or bonding
the windows or panel to the
structure. They may,
however, be used for the
secondary insulating glass seal
or for weather sealing
It is not possible to achieve a
frameless glass faade using
mechanical fixation
 Benefits of Silicone Structural Glazing (SG)
Aesthetic reasons
create a smooth, seamless faade
total vision system
Design active facades
heating and cooling of the glass
improved acoustic performance
Allow easier building cleaning
safe maintenance costs
Design Protective Facades
bomb blast
fire resistance
Upgrade existing facades
Easy replacement of damaged units
 Benefits of SG Aesthetics

creative design possibilities

smooth, seamless faade
total vision system
 Important Considerations

Dependence on quality of workmanship - silicone bonding

fabricators/applicators must receive training
Specialised equipment is required for silicone bonding
application
Good planning required, especially for unitised systems
where a longer lead time for testing might be required
The possible requirement for reparation of broken units
needs careful consideration
Inappropriate applications could include the design of
projects, fishtanks
The London Eye
Silicone Structurally Glazed
 Benefits of SG Active Facades
heating and cooling of the glass
improved acoustic performance
etc.

heat

cold

The simplified facade concept and reduction of thermal

bridges typical of Structural Glazing allows a better
control of the thermal behavior of the facade, both for
hot and cold climate situations.
 Benefits of SG Low Maintenance Costs
Smooth Facade less dirt accumulation
Allow easier building cleaning
 Protective Design

Design protective facades for:

Bomb blast resistance
Earthquake
Fire resistance
Sound control
Protective Glazing with SG Bomb Blast Resistance
Bomb Blast Test
Before After
 Protective Glazing Bomb
Blast Resistance
Bishopsgate 99 - London
Architect GMW Partnership - 1996
Renovation of a concrete based building.
15 000 m 4-sided Structural glazing, with
Low-E Glass, thermal break and high
acoustic performances.
The facade is designed to resist a bomb
blast of 8000 Pa.
Fast panel installation
using the Top-Down
concept from the
interior of the Building.
 Protective Glazing
Bomb Blast Resistance
DS2 - London

Architect: Fosters & Partners

New Construction Canary Wharf

>15 000 m2 4-sided Structural

Glazing with multifunctional
bonding

Bomb Blast Resistance design for

a podium of 5 floors
 Protective Glazing Earth Quake Resistance
Marathon Plaza - San Francisco

Citys largest concrete

commercial building.

2-sided structural glazing

system.

Faced in 1989 by Californias

worst earthquake since 1906.

Successfully passed the test.

Not a single life was lost.
Neighbouring building had windows crack and fall out. Nearby
Embarcado Freeway suffered massive damage.
 Protective Glazing with SG Fire Resistance
Faade not fire resistant designed
BUT even so glass still bonded by
the SG-silicone after fire

Silicones are due their chemical nature (molecule

structure) fire resistant. At high temperature a protective
sand-film builds to protect the silicone below
Benefits of SG Upgrade Existing Facades
Before And After
Why use Structural Glazing Technology?
Only structural silicone glazing is able to provide and combine
all of the advantages described

Why with a Silicone?

Silicone provides unsurpassed weatherability and UV
resistance
Silicone gives a high level of adhesion and required movement
capability
Silicone has a wide service temperature range from
-50C to + 150C
Silicone can resist wind load, dead load, thermal dilation
 Why Use Silicone Technology?
Polysulphide unit used on a
silicone structurally glazed
ventilator
Approximately 12 months old
Deterioration from UV and
low adhesion caused
breakdown of unit (front
pane has debonded)
Bond of rear frame to vent
frame unaffected
Performance of Sealants after Ageing (RILEM Test)

Silicone Polyurethane Polysulfide

Source: Jones, Hutchinson, Wolf; Materials & Structures, 332-341 (2001)
Manchester United Stadium
UK Liverpool John Lennon Airport
UK
European Standards: The Construction Directive
All products permanently incorporated in buildings have to:

Prove compliance with

Satisfy essential
requirements
1. Mechanical Resistance
and stability
2. Safety in case of Fire
3. Hygiene, Health and
Environment
4. Safety in Use
5. Protection against noise
6. Energy Economy and
heat retention
CE Mark essential requirements by:
Be manufactured in Be manufactured in
compliance with compliance with
specified harmonized an European
European Standards Technical Approval
CEN
EOTA
Comit Europen de European Organization
Normalisation for Technical
Agreement.
 European Standards & Structural Glazing
Structural Glazing is recognized as Construction Technique and has
been reviewed by EOTA against the 6 Essential Requirements of the
Construction Directive
ETAG 002 Guideline is the approved document.
prEN 13022 (CEN TC129WG16) is under development

SG is an approved and recognized Technology (acc. to ETAG 0002)

Structural Glazing Manufacturer Support
.. the way to success
Experienced drawing review and design support
Structural silicone sealant bite calculations and confirmation
that joint dimensions are within sealant design limits
Initial and accelerated adhesion tests
Compatibility testing of all accessory materials
Provision of preparatory and sealant application method
statements
Factory / site visits by technical specialists
Support of mock-up testing programmes
Close monitoring of structural glazing fabricators ensuring they
work within a strict code of practice
 Structural Glazing . Summary
Structural Glazing (SG) is a proven design / technology
SG offers a wide range of advantages and creative
potential versus conventional design / technology
SG is a recognized technology according to the
European construction authorities / regulations
Proven performance for over 30 years
 One further example for a .

A Structural Glazing Project

under Extreme Conditions

Refuge des Cosmiques

Alps Mont Blanc
3613 m Altitude