Uniform
Load Concentrated Load
Domestic
(residential) 1.5 Kn/per metre sq 1.4 Kn
Commercial
(Corridors etc) 5.0 Kn/per metre sq 4.5 Kn
There
may be differing guiding standards in other countries indicating
appropriate mechanical loads to be applied.
As a general
rule the higher the potential load applied and/or the larger
the unsupported span the greater the thickness of glass required.
Glass
floor panels or stair treads are generally manufactured using
a combination of annealed glasses laminated together. It is
considered that the thicker upper panel will withstand applied
loads and the lower panel will prevent shear should the upper
be broken. A combination of tempered glasses can be considered
where the required deflection of the glasses may exceed the
design properties of annealed glass.
Coloured
Glasses
It
is possible to include standard tinted glasses in the glass
package make up. Standard tints are available in Bronze, Grey,
Green and Blue and add a nominal 8mm to the overall mechanical
thickness.
A limited
number of tinted interlayers are available on request however
a 6mm clear border will be visible all round.
Edgework
All
floor panels must have ground or polished edges to remove
edge shelling that will reduce the likelihood of annealed
glass fracturing under load.
Thermal
Stress
Where
the application requires sub lighting then particular attention
should be paid the temperature differentials between the edge
and the centre of the glass. It is commonly accepted that
annealed glass will withstand 0 – 70 degree Celsius
differentials. Should thermal stress be considered a problem
a tempered glass combination may be considered as a 200 degree
C differential may be incurred safely.
Structural
Framework
Powder
coated or galvanised steel frames are recommended however
it is possible to use a hardwood with appropriate density
and thickness. Powder coated finishes are to standard RAL
colours.
All calculations
provided by us to BS63998 pt1 assume that the panels are supported
on all four edges. Two-edge support is possible and increasingly
common however mechanical calculations from our structural
engineers must be undertaken at an added cost.
A platform
of 30mm is required to seat the glass this allows for a fitting
tolerance of 5mm all round and a minimum 25mm of support.
The depth of the up stand for the framework will be governed
by the required thickness of the glass.
A non-compressible
neoprene gasket (shore hardness 60) will be required to provide
isolation at the glass steel interface.
Our bolt
together package may require supporting steelwork beneath
at the joints.
Glass
Surface Finishes
The
slip co efficient of glass can be considered similar to ceramic
tiles. Surface treatments i.e. blanket sandblasting, sandblast
frits or ceramic frits are used to provide higher levels of
grip and add aesthetic value. Consideration should be given
to exterior applications, should the surface be allowed to
get wet then its slip co efficient reduces.
Remember
although glass has a shore hardness of 5 it will scratch over
time.
Should
further technical information be required please do not hesitate
to call our Technical Helpline
on
Tel
+44 (0) 1823 350330
Fax +44 (0) 1823 350377
