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Cladding and Curtain Wall Construction 481
Structural glazing
Structural silicone bonded to
cladding and frame. Sloping profile
of cladding frame increases adhesion
surface and improves thickness
Insulation where
opaque
Cladding frame
Structural silicon attached to sides
of structural glass
Only slender strip of frame exposed
Figure 7.57 Structural silicone bonded glazing panels (adapted from Dow Corning, 2013).
Suspended frameless glazing
Suspended frameless glazing is a system of supporting large panes of glass by bolts secured
to brackets fixed to glass fins or to an independent frame, without any framing around the
glass panes and with narrow joints between panes, gap filled with silicone sealant to give
the appearance of a flush glass face. The principal use of this system is as a screen of glass
as a weather envelope to large, enclosed spaces such as sports stadia, conference halls,
exhibition centres, airports and showrooms, where a clear view of activities inside or
outside of the enclosure is of advantage. The prime function of this use of glass is not the
admission of daylight or as an efficient weather shield.
Suspended glazing has also been used as a glass wall screen to a variety of buildings and
entrances where little or nothing can be seen of outside or inside activities to justify the
screen and the glass enclosure, and its visible supporting frame is used for the sake of
appearance. Suspended glazing is usually vertical and limited to a height of about 20 m.
Sloping, suspended glazing has been used as a wall screen and for roofs largely for effect.
Suspended glazing depends on the use of stainless steel bolts that pass through holes
drilled in the glass to connect to stainless steel plates that are fixed to glass fins or an independent
framework. Holes are drilled near each corner of a pane far enough from edges
to leave sufficient glass around holes to bear the weight of the glass and resist shear stresses.
Plastic washers, fitted to the accurately drilled holes, provide bearing for the bolts, prevent
damage to cut glass edges and make some little allowance for thermal movement. Bolts are
screwed to stainless steel plates that are fixed to glass fins or a supporting metal frame.