STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

e greatly improved with the proper rolling or grinding regimen. Thus, through relatively
simple control of the austempering conditions ADI can be given a range of properties
unequaled by any other material.
2.3.3 Tensile Components: Cable and Rod Rigging Systems
The seminal projects of Les Serres at Lavallette, and the Pyramid at the Louvre, inspired a
new market for cable and rod rigging systems as a major component of structural glass
façade technology. Strand and wire rope technology has a long history of use in architecture,
including suspended bridges and buildings, and in building elevators, and in the assembly of
buildings with the cranes and hoists used in construction. But these seminal projects took
this technology not only to a new niche market, but to a new level of refinement as an
element of the exposed structural systems that comprise the core technology structural glass
facades.
2.3.3.1 Cables
Cables come as strand or wire rope. Modern cable technology was first developed in
Germany in the 1830’s by German mining engineer Wilhelm Albert. Wire rope evolved from
hemp rope-making, and the first ropes were wire twisted around a rope core. John A.
Roebling later manufactured wire rope in America, the material becoming intrinsic to the
building of his suspension bridges. He made many innovative contributions to the
manufacturing process and construction of wire rope among them the ability to make cables
on site (GG Schierle 2007, pers. comm., 22 Nov.)
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