Structural cast glass; A research process of design and experiment towards a feasible geometry for a cast glass element

This research aims to contribute on the scientific and applicable research in Structural glass in the Built environment. Specifically the use of cast glass in a dry-assembled arched bridge application in which cast glass blocks are used to form the span of the structure. The research consists of three important phases. By following a project specific design question first steps in the direction of solution and therefore design criteria for cast glass structures are explored and described in the first phase. The second phase describes the aims and boundaries of the research and the proposed goals. The third phase follows the practical research of the thesis in which certain steps of the design of geometry are the anchor of research. Further steps in geometry are taken by the research in structural sense and by research on the production, leading themes are the structural integrity and quality, production setup and quality, deformations and residual stress. The research is finalized with an advice on the geometry of the bricks and the gained insight on the relationships between the structural and production aspects in the design for structural cast glass and the influence of geometry.Architecture and The Built EnvironmentArchitectural Engineering and TechnologyBuilding Technolog