Seismic Performance of Architectural Glass in a Storefront Wall System

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the seismic performance of common types of architectural glass used in a typical storefront wall system. Two seismic loading histories were developed and employed in the laboratory to simulate the effects of moderate and severe earthquakes on a full-scale storefront wall system test assembly. Serviceability limit states and ultimate limit states of storefront glass and related glazing components were defined and assessed at moderate and severe earthquake loading levels. Experimental results indicated that for all glass types tested, serviceability limit states of glass edge damage and gasket seal degradation in the storefront wall system were exceeded during the moderate earthquake simulation. Ultimate limit states of major cracking and glass fallout were reached for the most common storefront glass type, 1/4 in. annealed monolithic glass, during the severe earthquake simulation. Annealed laminated glass, fully tempered monolithic glass, and insulating glass units constructed with either annealed or fully tempered glass were highly resistant to glass fallout and major cracking during the severe earthquake simulation.