Glass in roofs. Study of 19th century literature on building technology.

Many of the glass covered structures from the 19th and beginning of the 20th century nowadays ask for a renovation. During rehabilitation, the question rises if the existing bearing structure should be upgraded and how this could be done. Incorporating the glass panels in the structural calculation model might lead to a strengthening solution with as less impact as possible on the overall appearance of the structure. The research about the use of structural glass as a strengthening method will not be discussed in this paper. However, to make the glass and the iron work together and transfer forces, we first have to get a complete understanding of the original connection details of the glass plate and the iron sash bar.

The known building techniques in the 19th century were studied by analysing two types of books: the 19th century course books from universities and technical schools; and technical handbooks written by chemists, architects and engineers. The used production techniques of the glass and the evolution of the thickness of the glass plates were derived from this research. The paper also gives a description of the used techniques for the longitudinal connection between two glass panes and the transverse connections between an iron sash bar and two glass plates. In a final paragraph, some Belgian examples are given of public iron and glass roofs where the described building techniques were used.

ISBN:978-3-937066-14-1

Jaar van publicatie:2009

Trefwoorden:glass roofs, 19th century, sash bar, glass plate