Waltham, MA
Three-dimensionally Printed Glass Testing
Scope/Solutions
In 2017, SGH collaborated with the MIT Media Lab on an exhibit for Milan Design Week. The exhibit, Glass II, showcased intricately curved columns created with three-dimensionally (3D) printed silicate glass. We helped the team by designing post-tensioning support for the columns and performing physical testing in our Applied Science & Research Center. Looking to advance their research with a new geometry, MIT retained SGH to perform additional testing on 3D-printed glass samples in 2024.
SGH tested nineteen samples to determine the compressive strength of the assembly. Highlights of our work include:
- Conducting tests on a single glass unit with flat-plate boundaries and on a stacked assembly
- Testing with wooden and/or aluminum mounts to simulate use-case loading conditions
- Using a hydraulic testing machine with a 600 kip capacity
- Targeting a load rate of 1 kip/sec and manually controlling the rate of compression to compensate for deformations as the glass pressed into the mounts
- Monitoring the load and displacement throughout the testing using data acquisition software
1 of 3
Project Summary
2024
Completion Date
Solutions
Evaluation
Services
Applied Science & Research
Markets
Education
Client(s)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Specialized Capabilities
Materials Science
Key team members
Additional Projects
Northeast
University of Massachusetts, Isenberg School of Management
With its new addition, the Isenberg School of Management consolidates departments and encourages collaboration. SGH consulted on the building enclosure design and performed a structural peer review for the project.
Northeast
Sacred Heart University, Linda E. McMahon Commons
The new Linda E. McMahon commons building at Sacred Heart University offers a central meeting facility for students and faculty. SGH performed structural engineering services for the design and construction and also provided building enclosure and waterproofing design consultation to the architect.