c Rui de S.

Camposinhos 2019

GLAZING STICK FACADE SYSTEM UNDER WIND

ACTION
Calculation Example
Abstract
An example is given for the calculation of glazing curtain wall with
insulated glass units under wind action.
Limit states for breakage and deflection is performed for the double
glazing panels according to the Standard prEN 16612. Limit states
design is presented for the aluminum supporting stick system according
to the Eurocode 1999.

Figure 1 depicts the elevation of a glazed facade stick system to realize

a high 5.4 m building entrance.
The glazed facade forms a square mesh with Individual components – mul-
lions and transoms – installed in the field to receive as double glazing in-
sulating panels (IGU). Mullions span the full height of the lobby entrance
receiving the transoms at 1/3 of the span so that glazing panels have 1.8×1.8
m2 . Each of the double glazing panes is monolithic and annealed (AN) 10
mm thick. The gas space between the plates is 12 mm. Mullions and tran-
soms have Class 1 cross-sections according EN 1999-1 definition [3].

Figure 1: Facade Elevation – Lobby Entrance

The wind pressure acting on the external and internal surfaces is ob-
tained from data in Table1 where the peak velocity pressure, the external
and internal pressure coefficients are depicted. These values were obtained
according to EC 1991-1-4 [1].

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Table 1: Wind Action: Peak velocity pressure and pressure coefficients

qp cpe.10 cpe.1 cpi

2.0 kPa -1.2 -1.4 0.2

The double insulating panels are produced at the same region of the
site and the isochore pressure due to the effect of change in altitude is not
relevant.
Isochore pressure inside the IGU results solely from the temperature differ-
ences. Minimum and maximum values to consider are respectively Tmin =
−10◦ and Tmax = +50◦ .

i. Checking the breakage safety of the glazing panels according

to prEN16612 [2] for a consequence class CC2. The surface area of
the panes is Apan = 1.82 = 3.24 m2 and the external pressure coefficients is
determined accordingly:

cpe(3.24) = −1.4 − (−1.4 − (−1.2)) × log 3.24 ' −1.298

External pressure coefficients give the effect of the wind on the external
surfaces of buildings and internal pressure coefficients give the effect of the
wind on the internal surfaces of buildings. The corresponding characteristic
valuesare:
wSkext = qp · cpe(3.24) = 2.0 × (−1.298) ' 2.596 kPa
wSkint = qp · cpi = 2.0 × (−1.2) = −0.4 kPa.
For consequente class CC2 the partial coefficient for the wind action is
γf = 1.5 so the design values for the wind action are:
wSdext = −2.596 × 1.5 ' 3.894 kPa
wSdint = −0.4 × 1.5 = −0.6 kPa.
The design value of strength for annealed glass, fgd , depends on the charac-
teristic value of the bending strength of for glass material and partial factors
depending on the glass type and load duration (prEN 16612) [2]:
k mod · ksp · fgk 45
fgd = = = 25.0 MPa
γM a 1.8
fgk – is the characteristic value of the bending strength equals to 45
MPa;

γM a – is the material partial factor for annealed glass equals to 1,8;

ksp – is the factor for the glass surface profile taken as equal to 1.

k mod – is the factor for the load duration.

The isochore pressure generated by difference of temperature the gas space
is:

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pC,0 = cT · (TC − TP ) − (pa − pP )

cT = 0, 34 kPa/◦ K
pC,0 = 0.34 × (±60) − (0) = 20.4 kPa
In case of double glazing the distribution of external uniformly distributed
wind loads is essentially determined by the relative stiffness of the panes as
follows, δ, with t1 = t2 = 10 mm the pane’s thickness:

t31
δ1 = = 0.5
t31 + t32

δ2 = 1 − δ1 = 0.5

Additionally, the distribution (partition) of external loads as well as the ef-

fect of internal loads is determined by the insulating unit factor, ϕ, which
depends on the characteristic length of the unit, ä, depending on the thick-
ness of the glass panes and the gas space, s, and the shape of the unit.
s
s · t31 · t32
ä = 28, 9 × 4
k5 · t31 + t32


s
12 · 103 · 103 (1)
ä = 28, 9 × 4 ' 0.68153
0.0194 · (103 + 103 )
1 1
ϕ= 4 = ' 0.02014
1 + (a/ä) 1 + (1.8/0.68153)4

Coefficient value for k5 allows for determining large deflection volume

changes as a function of the λ = a/b the ration between the short pane
dimension (a) and the larger (b) according to Expression 21 .
z1 h i
(−6,8×λ1,33 ) ' 0.194
k5 = × 0, 4198 + 0, 22 × 10 (2)
16 × λ2

Partition of load carried by pane 1 (exterior) pd;1 in [kPa] is given by:

pd;1 = (δ1 + ϕ · δ2 ) · wSdext − (1 − ϕ) · δ1 · wSdint − ϕ · p0 · γf (3)

pd;1 = (0.5 + 0.02014 × 0.5) × 3.894 − (1 − 0.02014) × 0.5 × (−0.6) − 0.02014× →

→ (±20.4) × 1.5 ' 1.664 ou 2.896
Partition of load carried by pane 1 (exterior) pd;2 in [kPa] is given by:

pd;2 = (1 − ϕ) · δ2 · wSdext − (δ2 + ϕ · δ1 ) · wSdint + ϕ · p0 · γf

1
k5 = 0.0194 may be read or interpolated in Table B.3 of the Standard prEN 16612 [2].

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pd;2 = (1 − 0.02014) × 0.5 × 3.894 − (0.5 + 0.02014 × 0.5) × (−0.6) + 0.02014 →

→ ×(±20.4) × 1.5 ' 2.652 ou 1.497
The greatest value is observed in pane 1 (exterior) – pd;1 ' 2.896 kPa and
the corresponding maximum tensile bending stress is calculated:

a2
σmax = k1 · · pSd (4)
t2
Coefficient k1 value depends on the ration λ = a/b, the non-dimensional
load, p̈, and on the pane’s thickness t.
The non-dimensional load depends on the panel Apan , the Young Modulus,
E, and on the pane’s thickness t:
 2
A pSd
p̈ = · (5)
4 × t2 E

Substituting the respective values for the most unfavorable case, one has:
2
1.82

2.896
p̈ = × ' 2.715kPa (6)
4 × 0.012 70 000 000
O valor de p̈ = 2.715 permite determinar –pela Tabela B.1 da prEN 16612
– o valor de k1 a aplicar na expressão 4, obtendo-se k1 ' 0.27315.
The maximum tensile bending stress value at the pane centre is:

1.82
σmax = 0.27315 × × 2.896 ' 25.6 MPa
0.012
This value is practically equal to the maximum value of the design bending
stress fgd = 25 MPa so breakage safety is checked2 .

ii. Checking deflection assuming as maximum value equals to

1/150 of the pane’s short size. The characteristic values of the action
shall be considered. According to Expression B.2 of prEN 16612 [2] the
maximum deflection value is:
a4 pSd
wmax = k4 · · (7)
t3 E

For pane 1 (external) pd;1 is [kPa]:

pd;1 = (δ1 + ϕ · δ2 ) · wSdext − (1 − ϕ) · δ1 · wSdint − ϕ · p0 · γf (8)

2
Note: For the other (inner) pane the maximum tensile bending stress value is ap-
proximately 21.7 MPa when a temperature increase is considered with p̈ = 2.65 and
k1 = 0.2367.

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pd;1 = (0.5 + 0.02014 × 0.5) × 2.596 − (1 − 0.02014) × 0.5 × (−0.4) − 0.02014× →

→ (±20.4) × 1.0 ' 1.664 ou 1.931
For pane 2 (inner), pd;2 , is [kPa]:
pd;2 = (1 − ϕ) · δ2 · wSdext − (δ2 + ϕ · δ1 ) · wSdint + ϕ · p0 · γf
pd;2 = (1 − 0.02014) × 0.5 × 2.596 − (0.5 + 0.02014 × 0.5) × (−0.4) + 0.02014 →
→ ×(±20.4) × 1.5 ' 2.652 ou 1.065

Replacing the corresponding values for the most unfavorable case:

2
1.82

1.931
p̈ = × ' 1.810kPa (9)
4 × 0.012 70 000 000

with p̈ = 1.81 and k4 = 0.03654 determined according to Table B.2 of prEN

16612. Expression 7 gives:
1.84 1.931
wmax = 0.03654 × 3
× ' 0.01058 ≈ 10.6 mm
0.01 70 000 000
1800
This values is smaller than fmax = = 12 mm3
150

Mullions and transoms are made of 6082.B aluminum in the T5 temper,

rectangular effective tubular section with shorter section external size fixed
to b = 70 mm and 6 mm wall thickness (Figure 2-a) of Class 1 cross-sections
– which can form a plastic hinge with the rotation capacity required for
plastic analysis without reduction of the resistance [3].
Transoms’s cross-section are equal to mullions [70 × h] (Figure2) with shims
placed at 0,4 m from the ends. Transoms are simply supported in the
mullions.

iii. Calculation of cross-section dimension (h) according to EN

1999 [3]. The framing is attached to the building structure the floor, but
the IGU self-weight is transferred trough the mullions in the upper fixed
joints. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed an approximate (trapezoidal)
configuration for wind loads in the mullions. First concern shall be the
mullions deformation once it has a greater span (5.4 m] than those of the
mullions [1.8]. It’s assumed that the wind transferred load from the IGU
has a trapezoidal shape.

2
pSk · 5 × l2 − 4 × a2
fmax = (10)
1920 × E · I
with:
3
The maximum deflection value in the inner pane is 10.4 mm when a temperature
increase is considered with p̈ = 1.768 e k4 = 0.0368.

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Figure 2: Section a-a (See elevation(Figure 1)

– cpe = cpe10 − 1.2, exposed area is greater 10 m2 [1];

1.8
– pSk = × 2 paineis × 2.0 kPa × (−1.2 − 0.2) = −5.04 kN/m;
2
– l = 5.4 m;

– E = 70 GPa;

– I – Second moment of area for the horizontal axis parallel to the

facade’s plane.

The maximum deflection value is [l/250; 15 mm] = 15 mm [3].

Replacing values and solving Expression10:

2
5.04 × 5 × 5.42 − 4 × 0.92
0.015 ≥
1920 × 70000000 × I

resultando I ≥ 5.0807585 × 10−5 m4 , and from the following Expression h

can be calculated:
b · h3 − b0 · h30 70 · h3 − (70 − 2 × 6) · (h − 2 × 6)3
I= = = 50807585 mm4
12 12
A value for h ' 322 mm is obtained and the following “standardized”
are assumed: b = 70 × h = 325 ∧ t = 6 [mm].

Ultimate Limit States

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Bending moment The design value of the bending moment MSdmax

at the relevant cross section shall satisfy: MSdmax ≤ MRd .
pSd
· 3 × l2 − 4 × a2


MSdmax =
24
pSd = γf · pSk = 1.5 × 5.04 = 7.56 kN/m
7.56
· 3 × 5.42 − 4 × 0.92 ' 26.54 kN m


MSdmax =
24
In the case of a Class 1 section and an alloy 6082 and T-5 temper, the design
resistance for bending about on principal axis, MRd , is

MRd = f0 · Wpl /γM 1

b · h2 − b0 · h20 0.07 × 0.3252 − 0.058 · 0.3132
Wpl = = ' 4.2789 × 10− 04 m3
4 4
MRd = 230000 × 4.2789 × 10−4 /1.1 ' 89.47 kN m
MRd > MSdmax

A mullion at a mid-height cross-section must also withstand the two lower

IGU:
NSd = γg × (0.01 + 0.01) × 1.8 × 1.8 × 25 kN/m3 × 2 = 1.35 × 3.24 ' 4.374
kN

Bending and axial force. For doubly symmetric cross-sections the

following criteria shall be satisfied

NSd MSd f0
+ ≤
Ag Wpl γM 1
4.374 26.54 230000
+ = 62967.1 kPa ≤ kPa
0.004596 4.2789 × 10− 4 1.1

Shear. The design value of the shear force VSdmax at each cross-section
shall satisfy: VRd ≥ VSdmax
with
pSd · (l − a) 7.56 × (5.4 − 0.9)
VSdmax = = = 17.01 kN
2 2
f0 1 230000
VRd = Aν · √ · = (2 × 0.06 × 0.325) × √ ' 470.8 kN
3 γM 1 3 × 1.1

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Transoms limit state for deformation and biaxial bending:

The transom maximum deflection, fmax depends on the self-weight,

NSk of the glass action on the shims at a distance, d = 0.4 m from supports:
NSk = (0.01 + 0.01) × 1.82 × 25/2 = 0.81 kN

NSk · d
3 · l2 − 4 · d2


fmax =
24 × E · It
b3 · h − b30 · h0
It = = 4.200041 × 10−6
12
0.81 × 0.4
× 3 × 1.82 − 4 × 0.42


fmax = −6
24 × 70 000 000 × 4.200 041 × 10
1800
fmax ' 0.41 mm < = 3.6 mm
500

Transom biaxial bending:

M⊥,Ed Mk,Ed
+ ≤1 (11)
M⊥,Rd Mk,Rd

Perpendicular direction to the facade:

l3 1.83
M⊥,Ed = psd · = 7.56 × ' 3.6742 kN.m
12 12
230000
M⊥,Rd = Wpl ·
1.1
Wpl = 4.2789 × 10−4 ≡ mainel
230000
M⊥,Rd = 4.2789 × 10−4 × ' 89.47 kN.m
1.1

Parallel direction to the facade:

Mk,Ed = psd · d = (1.35 × 0.81) × 0.4 ' 0.44 kN.m

230000
Mk,Rd = Wplk ·
1.1
b2 · h − b20 · h0 0.072 × 0.325 − 0.0582 · 0.313
Wplk = = ' 1.3489 × 10−4 m3
4 4
230000
Mk,Rd = 1.3489 × 10−4 × ' 28.20 kN.m
1.1

Substituting the calculated values in Expression11:

3.6742 0.44
+ = 0.0566  1
89.47 28.2

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iv. In the mullions section receiving two transoms 10 mm holes

in each mullion wall are defined in Figure 2-b. The ultimate limit state in
these section must be check.

The most unfavorable drilled section is located in the upper zone

under weight of 3 IUG4 . The maximum tensile stress in the mullion drilled
cross-section is given by Expression 12:
NSd MSd fu
+ ≤ (12)
0.9 × Anet α · Wnet γM 2
The IUG’s self-weight is:

NSdp = γg × (0.01 + 0.01) × 1.8 × 1.8 × 25 kN/m3 × 3 = 1.35 × 4.86 ' 6.561
kN
and that of the transoms is:

NSdt = γg ·Ag ×1.8×27.4 kN/m3 ×3 = 1.35×0.004596×1.8×27.4×3 ' 0.681

kN

Resulting in a total axial force of:

NSd = 6.561 + 0.681 ' 7.48 kN

The bending acting moment due to the wind action at the drilled cross-
section located at 1.8 m from the fixed (upper) is determined5 :

l 1.82
MSd−1.8 = pSd × × 1.8 − pSd ×
2 2
5.4 1.8 2
MSd−1.8 = 7.56 × × 1.8 − 7.56 × ' 8.165 kNm
2 2

with:

Anet = Ag − 4 × 0.01 × 0.006

= 0.004596 − 0.00024 ' 0.004356 m2
0.325 − 0.1 2
 
Wnet = Wpl − 4 × (0.06 × 0.01) ×
2
= 4.2789 × 10−4 − 1.35 × 10−4 ' 2.929 × 10−4
4
The self-weight of transoms is negligible.
5
Assuming a uniformly distributed load

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and, using Expression 12

7.48 8.165
+ ' 1908 + 27 877
0.9 × 0.004356 2.929 × 10−4
270000
= 29 785 kPa ≤ = 216 000 kPa
1.25

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References
[1] EN 1991; Eurocode 1: Actions on structures – Part 1-4: General actions
– Wind actions; CEN – Standardization European Committee, 2004;
Brussels;

[2] prEN16612; Glass in building – Determination of the load resistance of

glass panes by calculation and testing; CEN – Standardization European
Committee, 2013; Brussels;

[3] EN 1999-1-1; Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures – Part 1-1:

General structural rules; CEN – Standardization European Committee,
2007; Brussels;

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