
Unveiling the third dimension of glass Solid cast glass components and assemblies for structural applications
Over the last decades, the perception of glass in the engineering world has changed from that of a brittle, fragile material to a reliable structural component of high compressive load-bearing capacity. Although the structural applications of glass in architecture are continuously increasing, they are dominated by a considerable geometrical limitation: the 2-dimensionality imposed by the prevailing float glass industry. Cast glass can overcome this limitation: solid 3-dimensional glass components of virtually any shape and cross-section can be made. Owing to their monolithic nature, such components can form robust repetitive units for the construction of free-form, allglass structures that take full advantage of the compressive strength of glass; a solution little explored so far. Subsequently, there is a lack of design guidelines in the use of cast glass as a structural material. Scope of this research is, therefore, to investigate both the potential and the limitations of employing solid cast glass components for the engineering of transparent, 3-dimensional, glass structures in architecture. Accordingly, the design, development, prototyping and experimental validation of two distinct cast glass building systems for self-supporting envelopes, from unit level to the entire structure, are presented. First, an adhesively-bonded solid glass block system, using a colourless adhesive as an intermediary, is developed and applied in the Crystal Houses façade. Following, a dry-assembly, interlocking cast glass block system, employing a colourless dry interlayer, is explored as a reversible, circular solution. The results of this dissertation can serve as design guidelines for future structural applications of cast glass in architecture.
In het kort
ISBN-13
9789463662208
Uitgever
Verschenen
12 november 2019
Imprint
Bibliografisch
ISBN-139789463662208
Editie1
TaalEngels eng
Pagina’s348
GeïllustreerdJa
Uitgave
UitgeverTU Delft Open
ImprintTU Delft Open
CB-relatie-id6225289
Verschenen12 november 2019
StatusOnbekend 00
Vorm & inhoud
ProductvormPaperback BC
SamenstellingLos product
Classificatie
NUR (hoofd)Bouwkunst, architectuur 648
NUR (alle)648 Bouwkunst, architectuur
Medewerkers
Auteur A01Faidra Oikonomopoulou
Herkomst
Werk-id (NSTC)500244496
MeldingBevestigd bij publicatie 03
Bijgewerkt6 augustus 2026
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NSTC 500244496 · CB-relatie 6225289 · Bijgewerkt 6 augustus 2026