A Method of Reducing the Distorting Curvature of Insulated Glass Units Due to Partial Rarefaction in Interglass Space

Abstract

Currently, insulated glass units (hereinafter abbreviated as IGU) are the main type of translucent filling used in curtain walls. Under the influence of climatic loads in IGU, the thickness of the inter-glass space changes, leading to the deformation of the glasses. Deformations of glass lead to optical distortions on curtain walls. The paper considers the technical solutions used in the existing engineering practice to reduce the distorting curvature of IGU: the use of more rigid external glasses as part of IGU, the use of double-skin facades with external independent single glass, the use of vacuum IGUs. A new method is proposed to reduce the distorting curvature of IGUs by fixing the thickness of the interglass space. It is achieved by installing other point or linear supports between the panes. The introduction of other supports solves the problem of reducing deformations only when IGU is compressed. When the interglass space is expanded, the supports are turned off from operation and the glass is freely deformed. Therefore, to avoid such deflections, it is necessary to pre-compress the IGU under a load equivalent to the climatic load on the IGUs operating in the construction area of the object. Calculations show that for the climatic conditions of the city of Moscow, the required degree of rarefaction the interglass spaces is only 5 % of the absolute atmospheric pressure.