Thermal performance of glass facade under fire loading: a numerical approach

Abstract

Non-structural internal and external walls play a crucial role in high-rise buildings. Exterior walls contribute to the building’s aesthetic appearance and create a comfortable indoor environment against thermal and wind effects. Interior walls divide the space and minimize sound distractions while maintaining desired conditions. External walls are particularly important as the presence of combustible materials can pose a significant fire hazard. Hence, it is crucial to use materials with high thermal performance to mitigate risks. Glass is a commonly used material for external walls due to its transparency, affordability, availability, and sustainability. However, glass panels are susceptible to failure when exposed to heat due to their brittleness. Therefore, this study aims to assess the thermal performance of glass panels under fire by analyzing single, laminated, and insulated glass panels using ABAQUS finite element software. Through a parametric study using validated numerical models, the study identifies the optimal configuration for glass panels. The findings indicate that increasing the thickness of a single glass panel by 2 mm resulted in a temperature decrease of approximately 13.5%. Additionally, the impact of shape on thermal performance is studied by evaluating crack initiation time and temperature for various shapes with equal areas. The results show that rectangular panels exhibit the poorest thermal performance. Furthermore, the type of glass panel significantly influences thermal performance compared to shape and thickness. Insulated glass panels demonstrate superior performance compared to single and laminated glass panels. When investigating different insulation materials, krypton outperforms argon and air in terms of thermal performance. This study contributes to the advancement of fire-safety solutions in buildings by using a validated numerical model to identify critical parameters affecting the thermal performance of glass facades across various types and configurations.