STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

Constructability
Fabrication: The choice of steel fabricator will depend upon the complexity of the strongback
design.
Installation: Relatively simple; typically tied off at outside of floor slabs.
Economy
Strongback systems are in general parity with conventional curtain wall systems. Used only
for smaller spans, so cost comparison to long-span structure types is not relevant.
Table 6-4 Glass fin attributes.
6.1.3.2 Glass Fin
Glass Fin: Summary of Predominant Attributes
The closest thing to an all glass facade
Very high transparency, but less than flat cable nets
Surface geometry is limited; flat or curved vertical surfaces are most common
Vertical glass fins, full or partial height depending on span, located at each vertical glass grid
joint
Maximum fin length approximately 15 to 17 ft (4.6 to 5.2m); longer spans require metal splice
plates
Systems most often suspended, but small spans can be base loaded
Suspended fin-supported glass walls were the seminal technology for structural glass
facades.
Drilled or pinched point-fixed glazing systems typical
span/depth = 8 to 10
Deflection criteria = L/175
Dead load reactions to overhead structure with suspended system must be accounted for
Costs ranges from moderate to high depending upon span and load, but increases rapidly
with span; cost factor 2.0
200