The Minimal Wall: Exploring the Benefits of Shear Coupling in Structural Sealant Glazing Façades

Structural sealant glazing (SSG) in façades, whereby glass units are attached to metal frames by means of adhesion, is a well-established technology. The current practice for the structural design of such façade assemblies is to conservatively assume that the framing bears all external loads without any assistance from the glass units, which are only considered as infills. Practical experience, however, shows that the bonding promotes a considerable shear transfer, which naturally results in stiffer overall façade assemblies when compared with the simplified design models habitually used across the industry at present. Previous research has focused on the glass contribution to the in-plane rigidity of assemblies, but there has been little effort to study its effect on out-of-plane rigidity and its potential uses for structural optimization. The presented study aims to gain an initial understanding of the phenomenon through exploratory physical testing and appropriate numerical studies. The findings will serve as an informal basis for a wider, continuing research in the field of composite behavior of SSG façade systems.