ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys

The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

STRUCTURAL CALCULATIONS

FOR

SG10 SYSTEM BALUSTRADES

USING 21.5mm LAMINATED TOUGHENED GLASS
without the need for a handrail

BY

BALCONY SYSTEMS LIMITED

Unit 6
Systems House
Eastbourne Road
Blindly Heath
Surrey
RH7 6JP

page 1 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

LAMINATED GLASS BALUSTRADE

without a handrail

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM ELEVATION

page 2 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

Structural System Section

with 21.5m Laminated Glass

page 3 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

BALUSTRADE LOADS:

(a) Horizontal loads

The balustrade is designed to resist the horizontal imposed loads specified in Table 4 of
BS 6399-1:1996 (see below), covering occupancy classes A(i) and (ii), B(iii), (iv) and (v),
C3(viii) and (ix). The loads are separately applied, not co-existent. For the GS10 balustrade
the horizontal uniformly distributed line load of 0.74 kN/m gives the most severe design
condition. This load is applied 1100mm above finished floor level.

Table 4

Minimum horizontal imposed loads for parapets, barriers and balustrades, etc.
Horizontal A uniformly A point
Type of occupancy uniformly distributed load
for part of the Examples of specific use distributed load applied to
building or line load applied to part of
structure (kN/m) the infill the infill
(kN/m2) (kN)
A Domestic and (i) All areas within or serving exclusively 0.36 0.5 0.25
residential one [A1] single family [A1] dwelling
activities including stairs, landings, etc but
excluding external balconies and edges of
roofs (see C3 ix)
(ii) Other residential, (but also see C) 0.74 1.0 0.5
B and E Offices (iii) Light access stairs and gangways not 0.22 N/A N/A
and work areas not more than 600mm wide
included elsewhere (iv) Light pedestrian traffic routes in 0.36 0.5 0.25
including storage industrial and storage buildings except
areas designated escape routes
(v) Areas not susceptible to overcrowding in 0.74 1.0 0.5
office and institutional buildings also
industrial and storage buildings except as
given above
C Areas where (vi) Areas having fixed seating within 530 1.5 1.5 1.5
people may mm of the barrier, balustrade or parapet
congregate (vii) Restaurants and bars 1.5 1.5 1.5
C1/C2 Areas with
tables or fixed
seating
C3 Areas without (viii) Stairs, landings, corridors, ramps 0.74 1.0 0.5
obstacles for (ix) External balconies and edges of roofs. 0.74 1.0 0.5
moving people and Footways and pavements within building
not susceptible to curtilage adjacent to basement/sunken areas
overcrowding
C5 Areas (x) Footways or pavements less than 3 m wide 1.5 1.5 1.5
susceptible to adjacent to sunken areas
overcrowding (xi) Theatres, cinemas, discotheques, bars, 3.0 1.5 1.5
auditoria, shopping malls, assembly areas,
studio. Footways or pavements greater than
3 m wide adjacent to sunken areas
(xii) [A1] Grandstands and stadia [A1] See requirements of the appropriate
certifying authority
D Retail areas (xiii) All retain areas including public 1.5 1.5 1.5
areas of banks/building societies or betting
shops. For areas where overcrowding may
occur, see C5
F/G Vehicular (xiv) Pedestrian areas in car parks 1.5 1.5 1.5
including stairs, landings, ramps, edges or
internal floors, footways, edges of roofs
(xv) Horizontal loads imposed by vehicles See clause 11
[A1] Not deleted [A1]

page 4 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

BALUSTRADE LOADS (continued):

(b) Vertical loads

The balustrades are designed to resist the vertical loading as specified by amendment [A1] of
BS6399-1:1996 (October 2002)). This stipulates that all parapets, barriers and balustrades
should be designed for a vertical load of 0.60 kN/m or a concentrated load of 1.0 kN,
whichever gives the worst design condition in combination with the horizontal loading given in
Table 4.

FACTORED LOADS:
Factored loads are used for checking the limit state of static strength of the
aluminium components. The imposed horizontal and vertical loads tabulated above
are known as ‘service loads’. These loads are multiplied by a load factor y of 1.33
(Table 3.1 of BS8118:Part 1:1991 ‘The structural use of aluminium’) to give ‘limit
state’ or ‘ultimate’ design loads that are used in relation to the factored resistance
capacity of aluminium members. The glass is designed for service loads.

PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM:
Design standard = BS8118:Part 1:1991 ‘The structural use
of aluminium’.
Material type = Extruded aluminium type 6063 T5

Limiting stress for bending

and overall yielding = Po = 110 N/mm2 (Table 4.1)

Limiting stress for tension

or compression = Ps = 130 N/mm2 (Table 4.1)

Limiting stress for shear = Pv = 65 N/mm2 (Table 4.1)

Young’s modulus of elasticity = E = 70,000 N/mm2

Factored resistance capacity = Calculated member capacity based upon

the limiting stresses Po Ps and Pv
divided by the material factor ym = 1.2
PROPERTIES OF GLASS:
Type = 21.5mm thick laminated glass
comprising 2 plies of 10mm toughened
glass with a 1.52mm pvb interlayer.

Designated mechanical strength = 120 N/mm2

Design standard = BS EN 12150 Parts 1 and 2 ‘Glass in

buildings’ in conjunction with load tests
carried out by the glass manufacturer

Short term working load stress = 59 N/mm2

Long term working load stress = 35 N/mm2
E value = 70,000 N/mm2

page 5 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

DEFLECTION:
All structural members deflect to some extent under load. For balustrades the
deflection is limited to 25mm under service load conditions.

GLASS DESIGN:
Load tests carried out by the glass manufacturer, JCGC Limited, compare the
performance of monolithic and laminated glass in freestanding barriers. It was found
that stresses and deflection of laminated glass manufactured with a pvb interlayer
differed from that of monolithic glass of similar overall thickness. To compensate for
this difference in performance the design of the 21.5mm thick laminate glass is based
upon an effective thickness of 15mm.

A summary of the test results, published in Glass Performance Days 2007, is shown
below.

Comparison of monolithic and laminated glass

subjected to barrier loads

page 6 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM: The glass acts as a vertical cantilever to resist a

horizontal force of 0.74 kN/m applied at a height
of 1100mm above finished floor level (say 1150
to mid-height of the supporting channel).

Effective thickness of 21.5mm = 15mm

laminated glass for design purposes

service load moment = M = 0.74 x 1.15

applied to glass
= 0.851 kNm/m

1st moment of area = Z = 1000 x (15) 2

of glass 6
= 37500 mm3/m

bending stress = fbc = M

Z

= 0.851 x (10)8 = 22.69 N/mm2

37500

= < 59 N/mm2 = OK
service load deflection = ∆ = PL3
of glass 3El

2nd moment of area = ‘I’ = 1000 x (15) 3

of glass 12
= 281250 mm4/m

Young’s modulus for glass = E = 70000 N/mm2

deflection = ∆ = 740 x (1150)3
3 x 70000 x 281250

= 19.055m = <25mm OK

shear stress on glass = qs = 740

(average) 1000 x 15

= 0.05 N/mm2 OK

vertical compressive stress = 600 = 0.03 N/mm2 OK

based on 2 x 10mm thick plies 1000 x 20

The 21.5mm thick laminated thermally toughened safety glass is adequate.

page 7 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

BASE FIXING CHANNELS:

BASE FIXING CHANNEL

page 8 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

BASE FIXING CHANNELS: (continued)

Fixings are at 900mm centres.

Holding down bolts:

Applied service load moment = 0.74 kN/m x 0.90 centres x 1.22
to top of concrete structure = 0.8125 kNm/base fixing

transverse spacing of HD bolts = 121.00mm

service load pull-out force = applied moment

on HD bolts distance between the bolt centres

= 0.8125
0.121 x 2 No.

= 3.357 kN/bolt

= within the safe working load capacity of

most types of drilled resin anchor bolts
or similar into concrete
Channels:
Factored moment applied M = 0.74 x (1.33) x 0.90 x 1.167
to channels @ 900 c/c = 1.034 kNm

length of channel L = 200mm

thickness of metal t = 15mm

section modulus Z = 200 x (15)2

6
= 7500mm3

allowable bending stress Po = 110 N/mm2

material factor ym = 1.20

moment capacity of Mc = (Po) x (Z)

section (one side) (ym)

= 110 N/mm2 x 7500 x (10)-8

1.2
= 0.6875 kNm each side
= 1.375 kNm for both sides
= > 1.034 kNm
= adequate

page 9 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

CONTINUOUS BOTTOM CHANNEL:

Continuous Channel

Vertical bending on channel:

Factored applied moment = 0.74 kN/m x 1.33 (Y) x 1.15
= 1.132 kNm/m

Z of one leg of channel = 1000 x (12)2

6
= 24000 mm3/m

Bending stress = 1.132 x (10)6

24000
= 47.17 N/mm2
= < 59 N/mm2 = OK

Horizontal bending on channel:

Factored applied load = 0.74 kN/m x 1.33 (Y)
= 0.984 kN/m

Distance between centres = 900mm

of supports

Factored applied moment = 0.984 x (0.9)2

8

= 0.10 kN/m

page 10 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

Horizontal bending on continuous bottom channel: (continued)

For design purposes consider a simplified ‘U’ shaped channel 83mm overall high x
45mm overall width, with 12mm thick sides and a 10mm thick base.

‘I’yy = 2[ (83 x 123) + (83 x 12 x [16.5]2) + 10 x (21)3 ]

12 12
= 581661mm4

Zyy = 581661
22.5
= 25852mm3
bending stress = 0.10 x (10)6
25852
= 3.87 N/mm2 negligible = OK

Torsion on bottom channel:

Consider an ‘L’ shaped half section as follows:
overall height = a = 83mm
thickness of vertical leg = b = 12mm
projection of btm leg = c = 10.5mm
thickness of btm leg = d = 10mm
largest inscribed circle = D = 10mm
internal radius = r = 2mm
area of section = A = 1100mm2

Properties of the complete ‘U’ shaped section will be twice that of the ‘L’ half section.

torsional shear = s = T C1
stress K

where C1 = D [ 1 + 0.15 ( π 2 D4 – D ) ]
2 4
1+ π D [ (16 A2 2r ) ]
16 A2
T = torsional moment

K = K1 + K2 + a D4

K1 = a b3 [ 1 – 0.21 b ( 1 – b4 ) ]
[3 a 12a4 ]

K1 = 83 x (12)3 [ 1 – 0.21 x 12 ( 1 – (12)4 ) ]

[3 83 ( 12 (83)4 ]
= 43027

K2 = cd3 [ 1 – 0.105 d ( 1 – d 4 ) ]
[3 c 192c4 ) ]

page 11 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

Torsion on bottom channel: (continued)

K2 = 10.5 x (10)3 [ 1 – 0.105 x 10 ( 1 – (10) 4 ) ]

[3 10.5 ( 192 (10.5)4 ) ]
= 2415

a = d ( 0.07 + 0.076 r )
b( b)

= 10 ( 0.07 + 0.076 x 2 )
12 ( 12 )

= 0.069

K = K1 + K2 + a D4
= 43027 + 2415 + 0.069 x (10)4
= 46132

Torsional moment = 0.984 kN/m x 1.15 x 0.35

on channel = 0.396 kNm

π 2 D2 = (3.142)2 (10)4
2
16 A 16 X (1100)2

= 5.099 X (10)-3

1 + π 2 D4 = 1.0 approximately
16 A2

c1 = 10 [ 1 + 0.15 (1.0 – 10)

1.0 4
= 7.75

torsional shear = T x c1
stress on U section K

= 0.396 x (10)6 x 7.75

46132 x 2 No

= 33.27 N/mm2 OK

page 12 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS
 ENGINEERS REPORTS & Surveys
The UK Network of Building Surveyors and Structural Engineers

WRDEL\E62248A
October 2013

SUMMARY

1. The SG10 laminated glass balustrade system by Balcony Systems Limited

comprises 2 plies of 10mm thick thermally toughened safety glass with a
1.52mm pvb interlayer, without the need for a handrail.

2. The glass balustrade acts as a vertical cantilever from the balcony structure
to resist the horizontal design loads imposed on the balustrade in accordance
with Table 4 of BS6399-1:1996 for the occupancy classes listed on page 4 of
these calculations.

3. Vertical design loads area transmitted direct through the glass to the balcony
structure. Compressive stresses in the glass are low and acceptable.

4. The glass is secured into a continuous aluminium base channel that is

anchored to the balcony structure by means of base fixing brackets at 900mm
centres.

5. These structural calculations show that the SG10 system is adequate to

support the horizontal and vertical balustrade design loads specified in
BS6399-1:1996.

6. With the base fixing brackets at 900mm centres the calculated working load
pull-out force on each of the holding down bolts is 3.357 kN.

7. A safe working load pull-out force of 3.357 kN per bolt should be readily
achievable with 12mm diameter drilled resin anchor bolts or similar installed
into sound concrete or bolted direct to a structural steel frame. Fixings to
balconies constructed of materials other than concrete or steel should be
separately assessed.

8. The installers should satisfy themselves that the fixing bolts chosen are
suitable to resist the holding down pull-out load specified, and also that the
structure into which the bolts are installed is adequate to support these loads.

END

page 13 of 13

WRD Engineers Limited t/a ENGINEERS REPORT & Surveys

Registered in England: No. 07977613 : The Stables, Rear of 60 The Avenue, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1XS