Free Standing (Cantilevered) Glass Balustrade 1

[rubenv317]

Good day to all of you!

I am designing glass (laminated) balustrade using some provisions in
ASTM E1300-12a i.e. calculation of effective thickness of laminated
glass,glass edge allowable stress and glass surface stress. However,
I came across on the first page of the standards specifically on the
"SCOPE" wherein Clause 1.2 mentioned "this practice shall not apply to
other applications including but not limited to, balustrades, glass floor
panels,aquariums, structural glass members and glass shelves.

In Clause 1.3, it is mentioned that " This practice applies only to
monolithic and laminated glass constructions of rectangular shape with
continuous lateral support along one, two, three or four edges.

I believe that these two clauses contradict each other with regards to application
of balustrade design. Free standing glass balustrade is supported on one
edge continuously.


Thanking you to comment especially from ASTM people.

Ruben
From Dubai

 

[klaus.]

I would recommend to use german Glass Code DIN 18008

also there are many suppliers for Glass Balustrade... they supply also design and fixings

 

[IRstuff]

Doesn't the word "balustrade" refer to spindle-like columns that support a railing, or the railing itself?

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[rubenv317]

IRstuff,

Yes you could see a spindle-like columns that support a railing and that is what you called
infill balustrade. They could be of different materials like steel, stainless steel or aluminum
whatever the wish of the architect or the client. It could be also a tapered shape fin but I
am referring to free standing glass balustrade, there are no posts or columns.

 

[IRstuff]

My point was that if there are no spindles, then is it really a balustrade?

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[glass99]

Yes technically you are not supposed to use ASTM E1300 for structural glass applications, though people do all the time because there is no option. In the US people now design glass balustrades not to E1300 but to the IBC which specifies a "factor of safety of 4", which is typically against the strength of tempered glass given in the old AAMA documents of 24ksi (6ksi allowable). There are some other stupid IBC requirements which make no sense.

-> If I was in Dubai and could use the Euronorms, I would (per klaus's suggestion)
-> If anyone from the IBC glass committee is reading this, please give me a call