If I would have to project, select or accept such thing I first would select a commercial provider for the item, then make him prove in reasonable way (that needs not to exclude new tests) that any requirements for the item are met. Some ordinances may simply dismiss such detail. Others may pose specifical requirements difficult to meet through glass. Where strength is the thing, shorter spans may help. Also, glass use to break in contact with hard materials, like metals. Hence you better provide at the holders a soft interface like neoprene, silicon, spacers and so on.
There's some very beautiful proprietary designs out there. I imagine it would be difficult to redesign from scratch especially with a not common material glass for a structural purpose. I shouldn't think it necessary.
I should think connections to the support structure would be an appropriate area to address.
Although some specifications are common to most glass handrail projects, such as ½-inch tempered glass, ½-inch spacing between panels, and 42-inch height requirements from the finished floor, there are many other variables to consider. These include following the proper building codes which can vary from state to state and, sometimes, even county to county. Model code regulations usually require either a 50-lb/ft uniform loading or a 200-lb concentrated load to the handrail at a distance of 42 inches above floor level.
REFERENCE STANDARDS:
Uniform Building Code 1997 - Section 509, Table 16-B "Guardrails"
BOCA National Building Code 1993 - Sections 1615.8.2 "Guard Designs and Construction" and 1615.8.2.1 "Infill Areas"
National Building Code of Canada 1995 - Section 4.1.10.1 "Loads on Guards"
Canadian Government Specifications Board (CGSB) CAN2-12.1 M90 - Tempered or Laminated Safety Glass
ANSI Z97.1 - 1984 (R1994) - Glazing Materials Used in Buildings, Safety Performance Specifications and Methods of Test
All stresses are to compare with major tension stresses. Experiments have shown that in-plane stresses lead earlier to failure than plate stresses due to bending, so for the maximum allowable stress for in-plane loads (shear panel loads) 90% of the values above should be taken.
