Viscous Catenary

V

I S C C A T E on

the

O N

design

and

U A

S R Y

fabrication

of a freeform architectural glass assembly by gosia pawlowska

L

I

M

I

T

S

The installation exhibited in December of 2019 relied on transparent VHB tape for adhesively joining the glass. Some gaps in tolerance at the lines of connection hindered the structural performance of the tape, limiting the self-supporting assembly to approximately 90cm before failure.

Sourcing and testing alternative glass ahesive strategies would require further research, in addition to considering an additional (embedded or external) structural support system for larger assemblies.

3 mm

4 mm 5 mm

6 mm

Design of the self-supporting glass structure was optimized by grading the glass thickness according to structural requirements.

3 mm

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PHOTOGRAPHY Images are author’s own except where noted, as in reference to case studies (pg. 14-15).

Professional photos of final prototype by Sarah Lever (cover and pages 49, 63-65).