Engineering Guides
Practical resources for structural engineers and glass industry professionals. Each guide covers the theory, the workflow, and links directly to our free simulation tools.
AI and Machine Learning for Structural Glass Engineering
From surrogate FEA models to automated quality control: a practical overview of how AI and machine learning are transforming structural glass design, manufacturing, and material characterisation.
Facade EngineeringBIPV Laminated Glass: Structural Design for Facades and Roofs
A structural engineer's guide to Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) laminated glass. Covers module typologies, thermal stress, flexural performance, support systems, and real-world case studies.
Facade EngineeringCold Bending of Laminated Glass: Challenges, Design, and Viscoelastic Effects
A practical guide to cold bending laminated glass for curved facades. Covers the process, springback and long-term relaxation, interlayer selection, optimal deformation shapes, temperature effects, and design recommendations.
Material ModellingComparative Characterisation of Seven Interlayer Materials
Side-by-side comparison of EVALAM, EVASAFE, PVB BG-R20, Saflex Structural (DG-41), PVB ES, SentryGlas, and TPU: isothermal relaxation, master curves, dynamic properties, tan delta peaks, Prony coefficients, and WLF constants from Centelles et al. (2021).
Material ModellingCreep and Stress Relaxation in Glass Interlayers
The two fundamental static test methods for interlayer characterisation: how stress relaxation and creep tests work, what they measure, why relaxation is preferred for Prony series fitting, and practical experimental details.
Material ModellingDynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) for Glass Interlayers
How DMA works, the four measurement types (amplitude sweep, frequency sweep, temperature sweep, time sweep), measuring geometries, output quantities (G*, G prime, G double prime, tan delta), and how DMA data connects to Prony series and structural glass design.
Standards & CodesEN 16612 Annex D Stiffness Families & EN 16613:2025 — Explained
The 12 EN 16612:2019 Annex D standard loading conditions, the stiffness-family classification (0/1/2) and ω shear-coupling coefficient, and how interlayer properties are determined per EN 16613:2025 (ISO 6721-10).
Standards & CodesEurocode 10 (EN 19100): What It Is and Why It Matters
The first-ever European structural design code for glass. Learn the four-part structure, the unique FLS and PFLS limit states, Limit State Scenarios, the design philosophy of robustness, how EN 19100 compares with DIN 18008 and CNR-DT 210, and the timeline to mandatory adoption by March 2028.
Standards & CodesEurocode 10: Design Strength, Laminated Glass, and Post-Breakage
Part 2 of the EN 19100 series. Covers glass material properties, the design bending strength formula, partial safety factors, the three levels of laminated glass modelling (EET, FEM), interlayer shear coupling across national codes, German abZ approvals, and post-breakage resistance mechanisms.
Standards & CodesEurocode 10: IGU Design, Stability, Detailing, and Worked Examples
Part 3 of the EN 19100 series. Covers insulating glass unit cavity pressure (BAM-Approach), in-plane stability and buckling, deflection limits, construction rules, balustrade categories with breakage scenarios, and three fully worked design examples (IGU, parapet, glass fin).
Structural DesignFEM Validation of Analytical Methods for Laminated Glass
Benchmark comparison of SCIA Engineer, Dlubal RFEM, and Abaqus SIMULIA against experimental laminated glass deflection measurements. Stiffness families vs actual G(t,T) data: 61 percent error vs 3 percent error.
Structural DesignGlass Balustrade Design: Standards, Materials, and Engineering Principles
A comprehensive engineering guide to glass balustrade design covering European standards, glass types, interlayer selection, load cases, and post-breakage safety requirements.
Material ModellingGlass Transition Temperature (Tg) in Laminated Glass Interlayers
What the glass transition is, its free-volume basis, how to measure Tg from DMA data, Tg values for PVB, SentryGlas, EVA and TPU, the plasticiser effect, and why Tg controls structural glass design.
Structural DesignLaminated Glass for Structural Applications: A Design Guide
When and how to use laminated glass as a structural material in buildings. Covers design principles, interlayer behaviour, standards compliance, and application-specific guidance for facades, floors, balustrades, and canopies.
Material ModellingMechanical Models and the Prony Series Explained
Spring-dashpot models, Maxwell and Voigt elements, the Generalized Maxwell model, and how the Prony series represents viscoelastic relaxation for laminated glass interlayers.
Material SelectionPVB vs SGP vs EVA: Choosing the Right Interlayer for Laminated Glass
A practical comparison of PVB, ionomer (SGP), and EVA interlayers for laminated glass. Covers structural performance, temperature sensitivity, cost, and application suitability.
Structural DesignPost-Breakage Performance of Laminated Glass: Residual Capacity, Failure Mechanisms, and Design
Why laminated glass keeps working after cracking. Covers the three-stage failure model, how glass type and interlayer choice govern residual capacity, temperature effects, fragment interlocking, and practical design guidance for beams, plates, balustrades, and overhead glazing.
Material ModellingProny Series Fitting: A Step-by-Step Workflow
The complete practical workflow from raw isothermal relaxation data to validated Prony series coefficients: master curve construction, fitting algorithm, number of terms, quality metrics, published coefficients for seven interlayers, and FEM software input.
Material ModellingProny Series for Laminated Glass: A Practical Guide
Learn how to fit Prony series from DMTA data for laminated glass interlayers. Covers the theory, the workflow, and common pitfalls.
Facade EngineeringThermal Stress in Glass: Causes, Analysis, and Prevention
Understand why glass breaks from thermal stress, how shadow patterns and solar radiation create dangerous temperature gradients, and how to prevent thermal breakage in facades and skylights.
Material ModellingTime-Temperature Superposition and the WLF Equation
The TTS principle for polymeric interlayers: how master curves are constructed from isothermal data, the WLF equation and its free-volume basis, shift factor determination, WLF constants for seven interlayers, and practical application to laminated glass design.
Material ModellingViscoelasticity Fundamentals for Structural Glass Engineers
What viscoelasticity is, why it matters for laminated glass, and the core concepts every engineer needs: elastic vs viscous behaviour, complex modulus, stress relaxation, creep, glass transition, and the link to structural design.