STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

Morphology
Vertical trusses are aligned to the glazing grid. Trusses are typically
custom steel fabrications with an emphasis on craftsmanship and
quality finish, incorporating rod or cable internal bracing. Lateral
cable bracing systems and intermittent vertical cable trusses can be
used to lighten the system. Bolt-up horizontal members can be used
between trusses to form a high tolerance exterior grid, to which a
variety of relatively low cost glazing systems can be easily
integrated. Rectangular tubes used at the outer truss chord and as
the horizontal member can provide enhanced economy by
integrating the glazing system with the supporting structure.
Horizontal truss orientations are also possible.
Design Considerations
Aesthetics: System designs can be very basic or quite refined.
Transparency (and control): Good; the perceived transparency of
these systems can be quite high, but cannot match the tensionbased
systems. Sunlight control on the other hand, is optimum;
simple truss systems are the best in accommodating add-on
Figure 6.4 Typical
simple truss
configuration.
systems such as awnings and louvers that can be integrated into the façade design. This is
far more difficult to do with the tension based systems.
Geometric flexibility: Simple truss system geometries are largely unrestricted in terms of
surface geometry. They can be sloped, curved, faceted, dished, stepped, all with relative
ease.
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