What factors need to be considered in the design of fully glazed curtain walls
Building functional requirements
Lighting requirements: full-glass curtain walls are known for their good light transmission, and the type and area of glass should be determined according to the lighting requirements of the building's internal space during design.
The design of all-glass curtain wall can adopt the form of frameless or hidden frame, and reduce the visual interference of the internal support structure, through the continuous use of glass, so that the space is visually connected to each other, to enhance the sense of spatial permeability and mobility.
Structural safety
Glass Strength: Consider the various loads that the glass is subjected to, including self-weight, wind load, earthquake load, and so on. For high-rise and ultra-high-rise buildings, it may be necessary to use thicker tempered glass or multi-layer laminated glass to meet the strength requirements.
Support System: A well-designed support structure is the key to ensuring the safety of a fully glazed curtain wall. It is also necessary to consider the connection between the support structure and the main structure of the building to ensure that the connection is firm and reliable, and can effectively transfer the loads on the glass to the main structure.
Load Calculation: Accurate load calculation is the basis of full-glass curtain wall design.
Material Performance and Selection
Glass properties: In addition to strength, other properties of glass are also important. When selecting glass, you can consider using insulating glass, coated glass and other glass with good thermal insulation and sun-shading effects to improve the energy-saving performance of the building.
Connecting Material Performance: The performance of materials used to connect the glass, such as metal pendant, sealant, etc. should not be ignored.
Aesthetics and architectural fusion
Appearance form: The appearance of full-glass curtain wall is in various forms, which can be a simple flat glass curtain wall or a shaped curtain wall with curvature or modelling.
Colour and texture: The colour and texture of the glass will also affect the appearance of the building. Different visual effects can be created by choosing different colours of coated glass and stained glass.
Construction and Maintenance Convenience
Installation process difficulty: in the design stage should be considered all-glass curtain wall installation process difficulty. Try to choose easy-to-install structural forms and connection methods to avoid overly complex installation procedures.
Maintenance accessibility: Full-glass curtain walls require maintenance during use, such as cleaning the glass, inspecting the connection structure and replacing the sealant.
