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 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
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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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Chapel (Building W15)
SGH consulted on the building enclosure and was the structural engineer for the project.
Northeast
Northeastern University, Kostas Research Institute, Cold Spray Laboratory
SGH evaluated the structural feasibility of the proposed renovations and designed structural strengthening, supplemental framing, and new structures to support the equipment.