STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

Morphology
Cable-hung structures have cables tensioned along a grid in the vertical direction only. They
are similar to cable nets without the bidirectional cable runs. They are also somewhat similar
to the suspended glass fin-supported facades without the lateral support provided by the
glass fins. Glass-fixing components clamp to the cables along the glass grid. Flat
membranes require high prestress cable forces to control deflections. Developing a cable
net with the addition of a horizontal cable will be helpful if the horizontal span is not too
great. Curvature of the membrane in plan will also act to stiffen the structure.
Flat cable nets are constructed of cables tensioned vertically and horizontally to form a grid.
Vertex components clamp the cables at their vertices. The vertex components can also be
designed to clamp the glass to the net, or accommodate the attachment of another
component to fix the glass to the net.
Boundary geometry can be defined of opposing curvatures, such that the cables in one
direction pull against the cables in the opposing direction, thus yielding a double-curved
(anticlastic) form. The opposing forces add stability to the net, reducing deflections. Design,
fabrication and installation however, are all affected by the added complexity.
Design Considerations
Aesthetics: Extreme dematerialization of structure, the cable net facades provide the closest
thing to a soap-bubble like membrane. Stainless steel cables and cast stainless cable
clamps provide a minimalist, refined appearance. Low-iron glass and anti-reflective coatings
can be employed to maximum advantage with these systems to enhance qualities of
transparency. The anticlastic forms provide a striking and unique form to the façade
membrane.
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