Influence of insulated glass units thickness and weight reduction on their functional properties

Abstract

Abstract Multi-glazed Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) are commonly used in the building industry. Larger number of gas-filled gaps is beneficial with regard to decrease of thermal losses in glazing, however the increased weight and thickness of a glazing unit cause additional difficulties during production, transport and installation of such elements. This disadvantage may be partially eliminated by using glass panes with thickness lower than 4 mm and by decreasing the thickness of gas-filled gaps between the individual glass panes. This article analyses the influence of reduction of weight and thickness of glass panes thickness and gas-filled gaps onto their functional properties. The analysis concerned two aspects: heat losses through glazing and static values occurring in IGUs loaded with changes in atmospheric pressure, temperature and wind pressure. Thermal transmittance and static values were defined for individual variations of structures’ construction on basis of adopted calculation models. It was demonstrated that using glass panes of thickness 2 and 3 mm is justified in IGUs with respect to changes of atmospheric pressure and temperature. The IGU structures with glass panes of reduced thickness have shown larger deflections and stress when subject to wind load. The thickness reduction of gas-filled gaps is beneficial with respect to decrease of resultant load caused by climatic factors, however it causes an increase in heat loss.