The bridge, dubbed “Glass Bridge: The Penn Monument for Hope,” was built by University of Pennsylvania professor of architecture Masoud Akbarzadeh and research assistant Boyu Xiao of the Weitzman School of Design, along with collaborators including Yao Lu of Jefferson University. It resides at the Corning Museum of Glass.

The bridge comprises interlocking hollow glass units without traditional reinforcements, such as steel.

“All these pieces alone, hollow glass units, might seem quite brittle—and they are,” says Akbarzadeh. “But depending on how you design to put these glass units together, they start relying on each other, and the units’ assembly establishes a path for the load to be transferred efficiently. Thus, the bridge gains strength as a whole.”

The project began in 2017 with the conceptualization and design of the bridge. Akbarzadeh says the original concept centered around using thin sheets of glass to build a “super-efficient structure.” The engineering drew on techniques that date back to the Mesopotamian age, around 4000 BCE, particularly funicular design, which harnesses compression to achieve stability and strength.

Akbarzadeh and his team designed the bridge to “channel forces along ideal compression paths.” According to a Penn release, “Every glass unit, joint and angle was optimized so that the bridge’s arch would carry the load primarily through compression rather than bending forces—a method as ancient as the Sumerian U arches, now realized through cutting-edge computation and fabrication technologies.”

Lu says that one of the earliest hurdles was solving the problem of joining the glass modules without inducing stress points that lead to fractures. Male and female key joints were initially considered, but the shapes were difficult to construct out of glass. The team eventually used structural double-sided tape. To ensure a proper balance of flexibility and rigidity, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) was selected.

“But with these connectors, every cut, every angle, every dimension had to be accurate within 0.1 millimeters,” says Akbarzadeh. “When you’re dealing with 124 separate glass units, even the tiniest misalignment can multiply across the entire span. If we didn’t maintain that level of precision, the whole structure could have collapsed under its own weight.”

The bridge’s construction occurred onsite at Corning over a period of three weeks in November 2024.

Glasbau Pritz constructed the bridge’s hollow glass units. Theile Glass provided glass milling and lamination services. Saint-Gobain manufactured the low-carbon glass. The glass laminates were made using Kuraray’s Trosifol Extra Stiff Pro, and the structural connection component featured thick SentryGlas.

Source: Glass Bridge with additional information added by GlassBalkan

The post Penn’s All-Glass Bridge Breaks New Ground appeared first on GlassBalkan.

Kuraray, a global leader in specialty chemicals, proudly unveils the highly anticipated launch of its redesigned Trosifol website. This cutting-edge online platform seamlessly blends innovation, inspiration, and sustainability, establishing a central hub for industry professionals, architects, and design enthusiasts worldwide.

A Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

At the heart of the revamped Trosifol website lies Kuraray’s unwavering dedication to sustainable practices. It showcases comprehensive Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for SentryGlas® and Trosifol®, along with detailed Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) reports. These invaluable resources empower users with deep insights into the environmental impact of Kuraray’s offerings, enabling informed decisions and promoting sustainability.

Explore a World of Possibilities with User-Friendly Navigation

With its user-friendly and intuitive interface, the new Trosifol website opens a world of possibilities at users’ fingertips. Seamlessly navigate through the site to access a wealth of information, application-specific products, and powerful calculators, including the innovative Solutions Finder tool. From technical specifications to project inspiration, users can conveniently explore Kuraray’s complete collection of success stories, igniting creativity and encouraging them to exceed their limits.

Personalized Experience and Timely Updates

To enhance user experience, a sophisticated registration system has been implemented, delivering personalized information tailored to individual interests at AIS Kuraray. Stay informed with relevant updates and the latest news, fostering a dynamic and engaging experience throughout your journey on the website. Furthermore, the dedicated “Laminated Glass News” section keeps visitors up-to-date with industry trends and advancements, while essential safety datasheets ensure responsible product usage.

Embrace the Future of Laminated Glass

Experience the forefront of laminated glass innovation and become part of the sustainability movement by visiting the new Trosifol website today. Unlock a wealth of resources, explore endless possibilities, and stay ahead of the curve at www.trosifol.com.

Source: Kuraray Europe GmbH with additional information added by GlassBalkan

The post Unleash Your Creativity with the All-New Trosifol Website: A Hub of Inspiration Awaits! appeared first on GlassBalkan.