Thin glass has the potential to offer significant geometric flexibility in façade design due to its low thickness. In this paper, the possibilities and limitations of cold-bent thin glass are investigated. For this purpose, a computer-aided tool was developed which can calculate the stresses during the bending process based on an analytical approach. More complex mechanical effects are intentionally neglected to allow a parametric and fast estimation of the feasibility of a project. To verify the method, it is compared with well-known finite element analyses. Furthermore, experimental tests are carried out to validate the digital calculations with physical data. The investigations showed that, in addition to the calculation of stresses, a general feasibility of the desired geometry is necessary. Due to the initial geometry of flat glass, only geometrically developable surfaces as a function of the Gaussian curvature K = 0 can be realised. The calculation of the stresses already showed promising results with minor deviations of the physical data. However, the Poisson effect in the glass could not be sufficiently reproduced and leads to larger deviations between calculated and physical stress, especially in the edge areas. Nevertheless, the flexibility and speed of the approach presented here leads to sufficiently accurate results for an initial judgement of feasibility and for form-finding purposes. It can therefore be an important tool for future design processes for façade constructions in connection with thin glass.
Daniel Pfarr
Cold bend thin glass - Analytical approach for parametric determination of bending stresses in coldbending processes of thin glass.
Company: TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
About the speaker:
Daniel Pfarr is a research assistant and PhD student at the Institute of Building Construction, TU Dresden. His research focuses on thin glass and its application in façades and building envelopes. In addition to new concepts and constructions with thin glass, the research also focuses on digital design and manufacturing methods that enable more efficient structures and processes. Within the framework of research projects with partners from industry and academia, he develops innovative thin glass composite elements with additively manufactured core structures.