Optimal structural design of glass curtain-wall systems

Glass curtain-wall systems are extensively used in modern construction. They can be manufactured as building facades with high-efficiency properties prescribed by the designer; among these properties, the most important are high strength-to-self-weight ratio, serviceability requirements, recyclability of the constituent parts, as well as transparency and overall aesthetic characteristics. The structural performance of curtain-wall systems has to be meticulously analysed and designed to fulfil structural Eurocodes requirements because facades are, in most cases, subjected to strong environmental actions. In addition, as a second design step, by applying advanced finite-element analysis schemes and taking into account structural design criteria, an optimal structural design of the glass curtain-wall system has to be carried out to achieve cost minimisation once structural integrity and serviceability requirements have been fulfilled. The optimal structural design approach proposed in this paper leads to significant conclusions that can be used for the selection of mullions, transoms, anchoring details and glass panels with reference to the predominant environmental actions of wind and earthquake. The proposed methodology is illustrated by means of a numerical application to a typical building facade case study.