Numerical analysis of bolted point fixed laminated glass panels subjected to seismic loads

Point fixed glass facade systems have been used to fulfill the requirements for high transèarency in modern structures, technological developments in glass production lead to an extent worldwide use. Nevertheless, structural designers face a void in regard to standardization for the current design practices, even for typical loads. Moreover, the overall response under seismic actions is not yet fully studied. This paper explores the seismic performance of bolted point fixed laminated glass facades fixed with stainless steel spider arms. The study focused on the dissipative capacity of the system, and the influence of the spider clearances on the installation phase to accommodate the lateral drift, by allowing horizontal translation of the panels for in-plane loads. The characterization involves numerical models developed in ABAQUS software, benchmarked with ongoing experimental research.