We conduct extensive quality and development tests devised to ascertain individual properties, in our fully equipped laboratory (e.g. with our own laboratory autoclaves) and on our extensive test site. In addition to theoretical verifications relating to the properties of glass when subjected to all major loads (dead weight, wind, snow, persons, etc.), we use model facades featuring original sheets to ascertain their load-bearing capacity and their wind and impact resistance, e.g. with pendulum impacts and sandbag impacts followed by tests of residual load-bearing capacity – if required monitored by external experts.
Our test site features a glass facade testing stand (up to approx. 120 m2), used firstly for measuring deformation during structural and dynamic tests, and secondly for establishing whether a facade is both airtight and watertight. The latter involves structural tests using a vacuum chamber and dynamic wind load tests involving an aircraft propeller. A climatic chamber for material samples is used during long-term testing to simulate the impact of changing weather conditions.
Our test site features a glass facade testing stand (up to approx. 120 m2), used firstly for measuring deformation during structural and dynamic tests, and secondly for establishing whether a facade is both airtight and watertight. The latter involves structural tests using a vacuum chamber and dynamic wind load tests involving an aircraft propeller. A climatic chamber for material samples is used during long-term testing to simulate the impact of changing weather conditions.
Strasbourg railway station load test
The cold-bent glass sheets intended for Strasbourg railway station required more stringent testing. In addition to the customary tests, such as sandbag impacts, several model facades fitted with cold-bent original sheets with a range of curvature radii were tested to establish wind and impact resistance, snow load capacity, and residual load-bearing capacity in the case of glass breakage.
Spiral glass staircase load tests
In the case of a suspended spiral glass staircase for a project in Osaka, we loaded half the structure asymmetrically with sandbags and applied pendulum blows using a 55kg car tyre – with the result that the system remained intact, thanks to the extremely strong glass bond, despite damage in the form of cracks and flaws.
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