GB2181849A - Method and device for monitoring the bonding of structural glazing sealed onto facade elements - Google Patents

Abstract

For monitoring the bonding of structural glazing (12) to facade elements (10) the space (22), which is enclosed by the facade element (10), the glazing (12) and the load bearing seals (14 and 20) carrying the glazing (14), is connected via a conduit (24) to a container 26 containing a drying agent. When one of the seals (14 or 20) is defective ambient air can suddenly penetrate the space (22). Since this air contains moisture the drying agent (28) in the container (26) changes colour so that this colouring indicates leaks and thus possible weak points in the bonding of the seals to the glazing and/or facade elements. A scale may be mounted alongside the container. Alternatively in the case of double glazing in which two panes are bonded to a spacer with load bearing seals, and the glazing unit is bonded to the facade element, the space between the panes may be connected to the container of drying agent to give an indication of the integrity of the bonding between the panes. Additionally, the bond of the glazing to the facade element may be separately monitored in like manner. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and device for monitoring the bonding of structural glazing sealed onto facade elements The invention relates to a method of monitoring the bonding of structural glazing sealed on facade elements and a device for carrying out the method.

The construction method known under the technical term "structural glazing" involves securing a glazing frameless at two or four sides to facade elements such as facade posts and facade crossmembers or transoms. The glazing consists of a pane or a glazing of two or more panes and is sealed directly onto the facade elements, the seal not only providing sealing functions but also performing static functions, for example transmitting wind loads (wind pressure and wind suction) and partially also bearing the weight of the glazing itself.

The seal is effected in particular with a one component or two-component silicone rubber.

One problem resides in assessing the bonding of such a glazing via the sealing to the facade elements. It is possible to load such structural glazing under tension or shearing until the connection between glazing and facade element detaches. However, such a test is hardly possible on existing buildings because after the test the connection between the facade elements and glazing would have to be reestablished. So far, the only possibility has thus been visual assessment, i.e. checking the connection with the aid of a more or less skilled eye to detect weak points because inadequately secured panes are a threat to persons and property.

The invention is based on the problem of providing a method and a device for monitoring the bonding or bonding strength of structural glazing, avoiding damage to existing structures and eliminating the uncertainties of visual inspection.

This problem is solved according to the invention in that the gas from the space between the facade elements and the edge of the glazing and/or from the space of the glazing enclosed in each case by two glass panes is connected to a container with drying agent and that at intervals the change of the drying agent due to the charging is examined.

It is possible with this method to check indirectly via the leak-tightness of the connection between the glazing and the facade elements to which the glazing is secured on the one hand and between two glass panes of an insulating glazing on the other without any damage to the structure. The visible change of the drying agents also eliminates the uncertainty of a visual inspection of the loadbearing seal. By means of the method according to the invention a comparative test is carried out, i.e. in the event of a slight leak it is not necessary to replace the glazing if the leak determined is constant over a relatively long period of time and does not increase. After incorporation of the glazing at preferably regular intervals it can be checked whether the drying agent has undergone an irregular or abrupt change, i.e. whether the drying agent has absorbed moisture.This increased moisture can only penetrate the spaces otherwise enclosed by the seal through a leak therein whilst a gradual increase of the charge can result from the vapour permeability of the silicone and is not problematical. It is assumed that the sealing has been carefully installed, i.e. that no cavities occur. From a comparison of the present value with a previously recorded value a decision can be made whether adequate bonding of the glazing to the facade is still ensured or whether an impairment of the bonding has occurred which requires replacement of the glazing or renewal of the load-bearing seal.

To be able to assess in particular with insulating structural glazing whether the cohesion between the glazing as a whole and the facade elements or only between the glass panes forming the double-glazing is defective both the space between the facade elements and the edge of the glazing and the space included by two glass panes with encircling spacers sealed therebetween are monitored.

Preferably, the amount of changed drying agent is read from the container in which the drying agent is disposed. It has been found that the so-called mass-transfer zone (mtz) spreads starting from the supply line to the container up to the end of the container so that the region with modified drying agent in the event of a leak increases irregularly or abruptly until all the drying agent contained in the container has been changed by absorption of moisture.

A device for carrying out the method according to the invention is characterized in that the space between the edge of the glazing and the facade elements which is sealed by the load-bearing seal of the glazing and/or the space between two glass panes of the glazing communicates via a conduit with the at least partially transparent drying agent container.

The container may in particular be constructed as cartridge and disposed within a facade post or facade crossmember and in the post or crossmember an inspection window is preferably provided for observing the cartridge.

According to preferred embodiments in the container normal drying agent may be present.

A check of the charging of the drying agent is then carried out by weighing and comparison with previously determined weights. Preferably, the container is completely filled with a drying agent exhibiting colour change. When the container is completely filled with drying agent exhibiting a colour change it is possible to determine from the start optically very acurately any change of the drying agent providing a rapid indication of any leak and thus any risk due to the glazing.

According to a preferred embodiment the container is provided with a scale so that the progression of the mass-transfer zone can be recorded by reading the progression of the colour change and compared with further readings.

Examples of embodiment will be explained in detail with the aid of the drawings, wherein: Figs. 1 and 2 show structural glazing consisting of one pane, Figs. 3 and 4 show structural glazing consisting of doubleglazed or insulating glazing, Figs. 5 and 6 show structural glazing of a modified embodiment of a facade element, Figs. 7 and 8 show a modified embodiment of structural glazing consisting of insulating glass panes.

Figs. 1 and 2 show in section a portion of a facade post 10 on which a glass pane 12 is disposed without frame. The connection between the pane 12 and the facade post 10 is via a loadbearing seal 14 and a spacer 16.

The seal 14 performs not only sealing functions but also static functions, for example the transfer of wind pressure and wind suction, and carries the weight of the glass pane itself.

Between the edge of the pane 12 and a rib 18 of the post 10 a seal 20 is disposed which serves primarily for sealing against weather but which like the seal 14 may also be loadbearing. A space 22 is enclosed by the rib 18, the front side of the post 10, the seal with the spacer 16 and the seal 20. Said space is when the seals 14 and 20 are properly installed air-tight so that no ambient air can enter said space. Via a schematically illustrated conduit 24 the space 22 is connected to a container 26 in which a drying agent 28 is disposed. As long as the seals 14 and 20 are intact and do not allow any appreciable amount of moist air to enter the space 22 there will be no abrupt change in the drying agent 28. If however for some reason a flaw occurs in one of the seals 14 or 20 ambient air can enter the space 22 and with it moisture.This moisture diffuses via the line 24 into the container 26 where it causes a change in the drying agent. In the container 26 three regions 30, 32 and 34 are illustrated. The region 30 corresponds to a region of the drying agent which has absorbed moisture. The region 32 corresponds to the masstransfer zone, i.e. this region of the drying agent is just changing due to moisture absorption, whilst the region 34 has not yet undergone any change so that no moisture is contained in it. Through an inspection window 36 in the post 10 the cartridge arranged within the post 10 can be observed. After intervals of varying length, preferably at regular intervals, a check can be made to determine whether the progression of the zone 32 is rapid, indicating an appreciable leak or flaws and thus a serious mechanical, chemical or the like, damage to one of the seals 14 or 20.

Fig. 2 corresponds to the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the difference that the container 26 is provided with a scale 38 so that through the inspection window 36 a reading of the changing drying agent or a portion of the drying agent which has undergone a colour change due to moisture absorption can be made directly.

Fig. 3 shows a facade element 40 on which two glazings 42 and 44 are disposed. The glazing 42 consists of an outer pane 46 and an inner pane 48 which are connected together via a spacer 50. The spacer 50 is connected via a seal 52 and 54 to the panes.

The seals 52 and 54 perform apart from a sealing function also a loadbearing one. The glazing 42 is secured via a spacer 56 and a seal 58 to the facade element 40. The glazing 44 is made up like the glazing 42 and secured to the facade element 40. To check whether the seals 52 and 54 are tight and thus have adequate strength to prevent detachment in particular of the pane 46 a line or conduit 60 is led through the spacer 50 and connected to a container 62 containing a drying agent 64.

The structure and mode of operation of the container 42 correspond to that of the container 26 of Figs. 1 and 2. In this embodiment it is not possible to check the seal 58 and the corresponding seal of the glazing 44 to the facade element 40. A check of these loadbearing seals must then be made in another manner.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 corresponds substantially to that of Fig. 3 with the difference that between the glazings 42 and 44 a weather seal 66 is additionally provided which can either be completely tight or via a passage opening 68 connect the space 70 between the edges of the glazing and the facade element 40 to the surrounding atmosphere. When this passage opening 68 is provided in the seal 66 the seals 58 between the glazings and the facade element can also not be checked by the invention. If however the seal 66 is air-tight the space 70 can also communicate via a conduit with a container containing drying agent so that the air-tightness of this space can be checked. On alteration of the drying agent, however, it is not readily possible to determine whether the leak is at the seal 66 or the seal 58. Furthermore, the container 62 of the embodiment according to Fig. 4 in contrast to the container 62 of Fig. 3 is provided with a scale 72 so that the change can be read off directly.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a facade element 80 which is formed on the front side with a rib 82. On the facade element 82 glazings 84 and 86 are disposed. The glazing 84 consists of an outer pane 88 and an inner pane 90 which are connected together via an encircling spacer 92 which is secured via sealing strips 94 and 96 to the panes. The seals 94 and 96 also perform a loadbearing function in addition to providing an air-tight seal. The glazing 84 is secured with its inner pane 90 via a spacer 98 and a loadbearing seal 100 to the facade element 80. Between the edge of the pane 88 and the rib 82 a seal 102 is disposed which is also constructed as loadbearing seal. Furthermore, a bonding interruption 104 is disposed so that the function of the seal 102 is not impaired.

The space between the panes 88 and 90 communicates via a conduit 106 led through the spacer-92 with a container 108 containing a drying agent 110. The space 112 included between the edge of the glazing 84 and facade element 80 communicates via a line 114 with a container 116 containing a drying agent 118. The securing of the glazing 86 and the arrangement of the drying agent containers and conduits for checking the loadbearing seals of this glazing 86 are analogous to those of the glazing 84. The checking and carrying out of the method with this glazing is as in the embodiments outlined above.

The embodiment of Fig. 6 corresponds to the embodiment of Fig. 5 with the difference that on the containers 108 and 116 scales 120 and 122 respectively are provided for direct and exact reading off of the alteration of the drying agent.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8 on a profile 130 with stepped outer side 132 a glazing 134 is secured in frameless manner.

The glazing 134 consists of an outer pane 136 and an inner pane 138. The inner pane is secured via a spacer 140 and a loadbearing seal 142 to the facade element 130 whilst the outer pane 136 is attached via a spacer 144 and a loadbearing seal 146 to the profile 130.

Between the panes 136 and 138 an encircling spacer 148 is secured in air-tight manner via seals 150. The space 152 enclosed by the edge of the glazing 134 and the facade element 130 communicates via a line 154 with a container 156 containing drying agent 158.

With the aid of this arrangement it can be checked whether the loadbearing seal 142 or the loadbearing seal 146 is defective.

The example of embodiment of Fig. 8 corresponds to the example of embodiment of Fig.

7 with the difference that the container 156 is provided with a scale 166 so that the amount of drying agent which has been absorbed and led to a colour change can be read off directly.

Claims (8)

1. Method of monitoring the bonding of structural glazing sealed on facade elements, characterized in that the gas from the space between the facade elements and the edge of the glazing and/or from the space of the glazing enclosed in each case by two glass panes is connected to a container with drying agent and that at intervals the change of the drying agent due to the charging is examined.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the amount of the changed drying agent is read off at the container or that the container with the drying agent is weighed at suitable intervals.

3. Device for carrying out the method according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the space (22, 104, 152) between the edge of the glazing (12, 84, 134) and the facade element (10, 80, 130) which is sealed by the loadbearing seal (14, 100, 102, 142, 146) of the glazing and/or the space between two glass panes (46, 48, 88, 90) of the glazing (42, 84) communicate via a conduit (24, 60, 106, 114, 154)withthe at least partially transparent drying agent container (26, 62, 108, 116, 156).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the container (26) is constructed as cartridge and is arranged within a facade post or facade crossmember (10) and that in the post or crossmember (10) an inspection window (36) is disposed for observing the cartridge (26).

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that in the container (26, 62, 108, 116, 156, 162) normal drying agent is disposed.

6. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that in the container drying agent with colour change is disposed.

7. Device according to one or more of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the container (26, 62, 108, 116, 156, 162) is provided with a scale (38, 72, 120, 122, 166, 168).

8. Device for monitoring the bonding of structural glazing sealed on facade elements, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.