Glass Breakage: Causes and Strategies for Minimizing Risk
Glass as a building material has a long history. When employed in building facades, it does more than play a role in expressing the aesthetic design aspirations of a project. It also allows daylight to fill the building interior while protecting against wind and water, providing a simultaneous connection and separation between outside and inside. Glass, a brittle material, differs from ductile materials commonly used in buildings like steel or aluminum, and can break suddenly and without warning. And unlike other brittle materials, such as stone and unreinforced concrete, it often has residual stresses (i.e., stored energy) that drive fractures even when under no apparent load. The building code recognizes these important material and performance characteristics of glass and employs a variety of safety measures for its use. However, the variability and frequency of its use in facades can lead to conditions that, while currently code compliant, invite unnecessary risk.
While many types of glass in various applications can experience breakage in service, spontaneous breakage of fully tempered glass due to nickel sulfide (NiS) impurities is of particular interest. An apparent increase in the frequency of such failures, which are relatively unpredictable, has renewed attention on the issue. Recent code changes recognize and react to the risks associated with spontaneous breakage of fully tempered glass and its post-breakage behavior. In addition, identifying and evaluating breakage potential and educating team members will help reduce risk to project stakeholders and the public.
In this webinar, we will explore the basic properties of various glass types used in contemporary building applications and code requirements related to glass use in buildings. We will explore the various causes that can lead to glass breakage, specifically the phenomenon of spontaneous breakage of fully tempered glass, as well as methods of differentiating spontaneous breakage due to NiS inclusions from other causes of breakage. We will discuss strategies project teams can employ for minimizing risks due to glass breakage in new buildings, as well as methods for recognizing and managing risk in existing buildings.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the basic properties of various glass types used in contemporary buildings.
- Understand the basic code requirements governing the selection and use of glass in contemporary buildings, including requirements specific to fully tempered glass.
- Understand the various causes and morphology of glass breakage, including spontaneous breakage in fully tempered glass due to NiS.
- Learn about ways to identify and mitigate risk associated with glass breakage, including spontaneous breakage on new and existing buildings.
Participants will earn 1 AIA CES Learning Unit (LU/HSW) for attending the webinar. Registration is free. Please note that space is limited – email events@sgh.com to join our waitlist if the session is closed when you register.
About the Speaker
CJ Brandmeier has experience providing structural engineering and building enclosure consulting services for a range of domestic and international projects. His expertise is focused on designing and investigating glazed enclosure systems, including custom glazing systems, structural glass, glass breakage investigations, and glass re-glazing. He also has broad experience in both new and rehabilitation design of various roofing and below-grade waterproofing systems.
With his background in both architecture and structural engineering, John Jackson applies his creative and technical skills in consulting and designing innovative facades and building enclosure systems. John has experience in a variety of diverse project types, both domestically and abroad, with particular expertise in glass curtain walls, custom glazing systems, structural glass, and glass investigations. John leads SGH’s Glass and Glazing Systems practice area, is an active member of ASTM Subcommittee E06.52 – Glass Use in Buildings, and regularly delivers lectures and publications on building enclosure design.
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