Glass Guardrail Deflection

[courtnvm]

Does anyone have information regarding what is the allowable deflection of a cantilevered glass guardrail system which has 4-way spider fitting at each lower corner of panel analyzed as thin plates. The glass would be tempered glass. When I analyze the panel using thin plate theory, I get a maximum deflection of 1". Is this acceptable for thin plate theory? If not, are there software programs that would analyze this complex problem. Any help with this problem would be appreciated.

Thank You,
Val

 

[271828]

Due to what load? Line load at the top?

 

[courtnvm]

yes, a line load.

 

[csd72]

Personally I never check handrails for deflection. The code loads can only be applied by a number of people pushing it simultaneously and it is unlikely to happen more than once or twice in the buildings lifetime.

 

[apsix]

Standards Australia do recommend handrail delection limits.
From AS/NZS1170.1 Supp 1:2002; "For serviceability, the deflection of handrails may be considered acceptable if they do not exceed h/60 + l/240 (horizontal deflection).