Analysis of the seismic ground motion loading on structural glazing connections in glass and facade constructions

Structural glazing (SG) is a widely used technique for connecting glass elements in facade constructions, employing silicone adhesives for load transfer. While SG joints are well-studied under static and environmental loading, their performance under seismic conditions remains insufficiently understood due to the random and cyclic nature of earthquakes. This study investigates the seismic loading of SG joints using a parametric simulation approach based on a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system. Experimentally derived master curves were applied to convert the response histories into equivalent constant-amplitude cycles, providing a basis for predicting fatigue and failure behavior under seismic loading. The analysis revealed that the choice of master curve and the magnitude of the earthquake have the strongest influence on the resulting number of equivalent cycles. Based on a statistical evaluation of these results, linear damage values were calculated and subsequently translated into failure load levels. These allow the definition of limit states for bonded joints and support the development of reliable design parameters for seismic applications. The findings provide a foundation for seismic design criteria for bonded glass and facade constructions. Limitations such as fixed frequency, joint geometry, and simplified damage modeling are acknowledged and should be addressed in future work.