FE-Analysis of point bearings for glass

Barbara SIEBERT Barbara Siebert, born 1967,

Dr.-Ing. received her civil engineering
degree from TU München.
Ingenieurbüro Dr. Siebert After some years as employee
Munich, Germany in a consulting office, she is
now working in Ingenieurbüro
Dr. Siebert, consulting office
for civil engineering with
special field of application of
glass. The doctor’s thesis about
the calculation of point helded
glasses was accepted 2003.

Summary
The only way for design is to analyse a glass plate with point-bearings in a satisfying manner by
means of a three-dimensional-FEM software system. Also vendors of such calculation software try
to convince their costumers that handling their software is easy in order to sell it, there are many
aspects to be considered.
The point-bearing itself and the surrounding area has to be modelled accurate to get close-to-reality
results. The mesh of the elements is of great importance, the number of elements around the hole as
well as the mesh in radial direction and their interaction have to be considered. However, the quality
of calculation is of course also depending on the software and on the points of output the program
system uses. Due to the stress concentration at the edge of the holes only really calculated corner
results should be used and no elemental output extrapolated to corners. The data of the plastic
material between glass and steel have a big influence on the results of the analysis as well as the
correct modelling of gaps and contact.
Extensive tests proved that commonly used different plastic interlayer show comparatively
behaviour. On basis of the tests and innumerable numerical FEM calculations suggestions for near-
to-reality modelling by FEM are given. Investigation of the effects due to a change of different
parameters was done in the research work. Results of the actual research as basis for a future design
method close to reality will be presented.
Keywords: point-bearings, Finite Element modelling, stress concentration

1. Introduction
In architecture and civil engineering glass was for a long time only known as window-glass for
bringing transparency. The increasing application of glass to enable transparent architecture leads to
a new point of view of the “old material” glass. In modern constructions, glass is increasingly used
as a load bearing element. To fulfil the wishes of architects and, of course, to provide save and
secure building elements, glass is used in a different way compared to the old application as
window element.
Thermally toughened safety glass or heat strengthened glass, combined with special plastics are in
fact new construction elements. In addition, new types of bearing glass panes - not only linear but
on few single points - are developed.
Constructions which are not using linear but single points for bearing, so called point fixed glass
elements, are a high challenge both, for design and planning as well as for fabrication and
execution. In the following sections the focus is towards point-fixed glass elements and related
problems.
Due to the brittle behaviour of glass it is necessary to have knowledge about fracture mechanics in
order to develop design rules. This directly leads to additional detail problems because of the
mentioned point-bearings: no “intelligent behaviour of material” like yielding of steel in case of

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punctually high stress. Beside the mentioned theoretical problems during the design process,
knowledge about production and mounting of structural elements of glass is important.

2. New constructions with glass

The building material glass is used for a lot of new applications with point bearings, which are
transformed in many different ways by the architects. An example for the applications are glass
floors, point-fixed glazings used in facades and roofings – partly also in combination with ropes.
In Fig. 1 a point-fixed roof in Kolbermoor, in Fig. 2 an point-fixed roof in Munic, in Fig. 3 an point-
fixed façade in Cologne and in Fig. 4 a point fixed glass floor are shown for example.
In Fig. 5 is shown a point fixed roof in Regensburg. This system is the first in Germany with a
national technical approval (“allgemeine bauaufsichtliche Zulassung”) given by the DIBt
(Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik = German institute of construction engineering) for point-fixed
overhead-glazing which can be mounted flexible on all structures.

Fig.1 Point-fixed roof in Kolbermoor Fig.2 Point-fixed roof in Munic

Fig. 3 Point-fixed façade in Fig.4 Accessible glass floor, Fig.5 Regensburger Arcaden,
Cologne office building in Munich Point-fixed roof

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3. Types of point bearings
There is a variety of types of point-bearings on the market for both, insulating and non-insulating
glass elements.
The key differentiation in point-bearings is done between glass panes fixed on their corners or
edges and those fixed in drilled holes. Point-bearings in holes are further divided in types with one
plate on each surface of the glass pane and those with conical drillings, see Fig. 6. The last
mentioned type is not a good choice for overhead glazing because the remaining load carrying
capacity is poor. Additionally point-bearings can be divided to rigid and flexible types; flexibility is
achieved by the use of spherical elements.

4. Special problems due to holes

One of the most important rules is to avoid any direct contact between glass and steel or other hard
material. In particular for conical drillings this is often the source of problems, Fig. 7.
If the fit between the cone hole in the glass and the according bearing is inaccurate, this can be a
potential cause for glass breakage. Different cone-angles of the glass-hole and the point-bearing
leads to contact in small areas with the consequence of high local stress or even of direct glass-
metal-contact. In terms of yielding and thus redistribution of stress, a material as brittle as glass
does react like steel and will break in case of too high local stress.
non-insulating glass insulating glass elements
elements

Fig.6 Different types of point-bearings Fig.7 Problems with conical drillings and
laminated glass

The problem of restraint because of possible tolerances between glass holes and point-bearing
elements must be avoided for example by oblong holes in the supporting structure. By filling the
gap between glass hole and axle of point-bearing with special suitable material possible
misalignment of individual glass panes forming a laminated glass element can get compensated.
Under the context of fracture mechanics investigations about effect of holes in glass panes towards
the strength of the glass element can be seen: depending on the drilling method additional damages
of the surface can happen and so reduce service life [7].

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Another interesting effect to be taken into consideration is the different behaviour of glass near
edges and the area around holes during the cooling process as last step of prestressing glass: the
frozen-in stress differs from the values achieved to those of the surface [2], [6].

5. Concepts for design

At present design is based on the concept of permissible tensile stress. To observe the brittle
behaviour of glass design rules of the future sure base on fracture mechanics, first attempts and
proposals already exist [1], [3], [4], [5].

6. Material properties
The material properties of glass and steel are well known, they are easy to integrate in calculations.
In contrast the plastics used between glass and steel are less easy to handle: first of all a wide
variety of materials is in service, lasting from elastomer (e.g. EPDM) over thermoplastics (e.g.
PVC) towards thermosetting polymers (e.g. epoxy resins). These all have different characteristics
regarding e.g. young module, behaviour under consideration of time (creep, shrinkage, aging),
moisture and temperature. In addition nonlinear stress-strain behaviour eventually has to be taken
into consideration. As shown later all these factors may have evident influence to calculations and
so before starting an analysis of a point-fixed glass element the interesting data have to be
evaluated.

7. Modelling by FEM
7.1 Introduction

The only way to analyse a glass plate with point-bearings in a satisfying manner is by means of a
three-dimensional-FEM software system. Also vendors of such calculation software try to convince
their costumers that handling their software is easy (in order to sell it), there are many aspects to be
considered.

Fig.8 FEM-model of a conical point-bearing Fig.9 FEM-model of a point-bearing with

plates and the glass pane

The point-bearing itself and the surrounding area has to be modelled accurate to get close-to-reality
results. An example of a point-bearing with a conical hole is represented in Fig.8, a point-bearing
with plates is shown in Fig.9.

7.2 Mesh of the elements

The mesh of the elements is of great importance, 32 elements around the hole give quite reasonable
results. More important than the number of elements around the hole is the mesh in radial direction.
However, the quality of calculation is of course depending on the software and also on the points of
output the program system uses. Due to the stress concentration at the edge of the holes only really
calculated corner results should be used and no elemental output extrapolated to corners. In addition

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the data of the plastic material between glass and steel have a big influence on the results of the
analysis as well as the correct modelling of gaps and contact.
So investigation of the effects due to a change of different parameters has to be done.
First some calculation was done with different meshes (see Fig. 11).
To give an impression of the importance of choosing the appropriate mesh Fig. 12 shows FEM-
calculation-results of a element with rectangular cross section and central circular hole under axial
tension with different meshes.
By comparing the numerical FEM results with a known theoretical solution of this problem an
evaluation of the different meshes was possible. The FEM calculations were done using
MSC/Nastran for windows, transferring the results to other software systems may not be possible
without further considerations.

Fig.10 Stress concentration at the hole Fig. 11 Different meshes

The theoretical solution for the element with rectangular cross section and central circular hole
under axial tension is:
F (1)
σ nom =
(D − d ) ⋅ t
⎛d⎞ ⎛d⎞
2
⎛d⎞
3 (2)
k = 3,0 − 3,13 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ + 3,66 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟ − 1,53 ⋅ ⎜ ⎟
⎝D⎠ ⎝D⎠ ⎝D⎠
σ A = k ⋅ σ nom (3)

σnom: nominal stress

σA: stress at the edge of the hole
k: stress-concentration factor
d: diameter of the hole
D: Height of the plate
t: thickness of the plate

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 Elements along drilling
Fig.12a Quality of different modelling using plate elements, corner results

Elements along drilling

Fig.12b Quality of different modelling using plate elements, element results

7.3 Glass plate with point bearing loaded by bending

As there does not exist a theoretical solution for a plate with point bearing in a hole loaded by
bending tests were made together with the calculation.
Glass plates of 400x400 mm² with a point fixing in a centre hole were used (Fig. 13, Fig. 14).
Different bearings led to symmetrical and asymmetrical situation. In addition the material and
temperature of interlayer, diameter of the hole and disc of point fixing as well as one sided and two
sided application of discs were changed.
To get information about the distribution of stress several strain gauges are used.
Fig. 15 shows an example of stress distribution.
The big advertage of these – compared to other tests done with glass panes used for real buildings –
simple tests is that by this innumerable possible source of errors (eg. tolerances, nonliear effects,...)
are avoided.
In a first step after the tests the results using aluminium as interlayer was modelled by different
ways to be able to choose the model fitting the symmetrical test results best. Aluminium was chosen
because of the well known material properties.

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 Fig. 13 symmetrical test, pictures of testing

Fig. 14 symmetrical test, testing situation and strain gauges

Using this model in a second step the quality of the model was proved good because also the
asymmetrical tests can be simulated by FEM.

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Fig. 15a Example for stress distribution, disc d=70mm, one-sided and two-sided, different
materials for elastic interlayer

Fig. 15b Example for stress distribution, disc d=70mm, one-sided and two-sided, aluminium
interlayer, different prestressing between discs

In a last step the young-module of plastic interlayer was determined using the verified “aluminium
model”.
With this proceeding “step by step” errors could be excluded: Most times calculations in the past
are calibrated only by changing one parameter (most times the elastic interlayer) based on results of
very complex testings (with many parameters). So the FE-model is working for the examinated
glass-plate but not necessarily for the general case.
7.4 Result of research

As result of the research activities – testing and FEM calculations – answers for interesting
questions and surprising effects as well as suggestion for near to realitiy modelling can be given.
A significant difference between one and two sided discs of point bearing can only be seen in case
of thin and very hard interlayer, the two discs act like cantilever. By this the maximum stress is
reduced and no longer near the hole but at the edge of the disc.
For modelling of glass the type of the element and the mesh in radial as well as in tangential
direction is important.
Also modelling of the interlayer including its “connection” by contact elements has an important
influence.
Using the provided data of the tests the considerations concerning the FEM software can be done

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with other software to prove near-to-reality models.
In Fig. 16 are shown some developed rules for modelling a point-fixed glass plate.
glass with „Plate“ or „Solid“-elements disc with „Solid“ Elements, one sided modelling of the
disc
V1
L1 V
C2 L
G4 C

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Y Z
Y
X
X

elastic interlayer with „gap“ elements (no

concentric circles
32 elements around the hole,
ratio elements on the edge of the hole 1:1
(radial : tangential)
(or finer in radial direction)
Modelling of glass with hole
effect for tension, effect for pressure) or
contact elements
Consideration of the loaded area of the single
„Gap“-elements
non-linear calculation, results at corners of
mesh
Young-module of elastic interlayer: analysis
for two extreme cases, for investigated
interlayer between 5 MPa and 50 MPa
Modelling of disc and elastic interlayer

Fig. 16 rules for modelling, program-system MSC-Nastran for Windows

8. Discussion and conclusion

The increasing application of glass to enable transparent architecture with the application of point
bearings leads to a new point of view of the “old material” glass. In modern constructions, glass is
increasingly used as load bearing element, so that new construction types can be realised.
Due to the brittle behaviour of glass needs knowledge about fracture mechanics is required for the
development of design rules. A major subject are point-bearings of glass elements: problems of
modelling and calculation to get satisfying, close-to-reality results and further special detail
problems are to be recognized and solved. It is important that glass has no “intelligent behaviour of
material” like yielding of steel in case of high punctual stress.
Criteria for adequate modelling by FEM are formulated. This concern the design of the mesh as
well as element type and data for modelling interlayer and point bearings.
The tests can be uses for checking modelling with alternative FEM systems.
Glass is a fascinating material to build with, but there are some important problems to be
recognized for planning and design. Further investigations and research has to be done.

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9. References
[1] GÜSGEN J., Bemessung tragender Bauteile aus Glas. Dissertation RWTH Aachen 1998.
[2] LAUFS W. Ein Bemessungskonzept zur Festigkeit thermisch vorgespannter Gläser.
Dissertation RWTH Aachen 2000.
[3] SIEBERT Geralt, Beitrag zum Einsatz von Glas als tragendes Bauteil im konstruktiven
Ingenieurbau. Technische Universität München, Berichte aus dem Konstruktiven
Ingenieurbau, Nr. 5/99, 1999
[4] SIEBERT Geralt, Entwurf und Bemessung von tragenden Bauteilen aus Glas. 1. Auflage
Berlin: Ernst und Sohn Verlag, 2001
[5] SHEN X., Entwicklung eines Bemessungs- und Sicherheitskonzeptes für den Glasbau.
Fortschrittsberichte VDI, Reihe 4, Nr.138, 1997
[6] SEDLACEK G., LAUFS W. 1999: Stress distribution in thermally tempered glass panes near
the edges, corners and holes. In: Glastechnische Berichte 72, 1999
[7] SOBEK, KUTTERER, GÖRZIG 1997:, Bauen mit Glas, Glasfestigkeit im Bohrungsbereich.
Stuttgart IL Forschungsbericht 1/97
[8] SIEBERT, Barbara: Application of glass as load-bearing element in structural engineering.
IABSE Conference in Melbourne August 2002
[9] SIEBERT, Barbara, Beitrag zur Berechnung von punktgehaltenen Gläsern. Technische
Universität München, Berichte aus dem Konstruktiven Ingenieurbau, Nr. 2/04, 2004.
[10] SIEBERT, Barbara FE-Analysis of Point Bearings for Glass: Summary of actual research
work. ASEM Conference in Seoul September 2004
[11] Allgemeine bauaufsichtlichen Zulassung AbZ Z-70.3-74 „Überkopfverglasung TEC“

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