In recent years, an interesting and unique application for laminated glass has emerged. Relying on the strength of laminated glass, designers have begun incorporating structural glass as sides and even bottoms in swimming pools. In response to this trend, members of ASTM’s glass strength committee published a new standard: ASTM E3401 Standard Practice for Design and Performance of Laminated Glass Subject to Hydrostatic Loads. This standard provides guidance for calculating the glass strength and for physical testing under hydrostatic loads. Though primarily for swimming pools and aquariums, this standard may provide some benefit for the design of glass flood barriers as well. This paper will review the new ASTM E3401 standard, including examples of calculations, and explore the unique applications of laminated glass under hydrostatic loads.
Vaughn Schauss
Designing Laminated Glass for Exposure to Hydrostatic Loads – a new ASTM Method
Company: Kuraray America, Inc., USA
About the speaker:
Vaughn Schauss is the Americas Technical Services Manager for Kuraray’s AIS division. In this role, he works with glass fabricators, architects, specifiers, structural engineers, and façade consultants on the specification, design, and use of laminated glass in buildings, and provides expertise to fabricators on the lamination process. Focusing on structural, security, acoustic, and hurricane applications for laminated glass, Vaughn is active in many industry organizations and standards committees such as ASTM, FGIA, NGA and others.
