Development of Vacuum Insulated Glass Meeting Passive and Active Safety Requirements

The Department of Structural Engineering, in collaboration with SiLATEC Sicherheits- und Laminatglastechnik GmbH of Gelting, is investigating highly thermally insulating, sound-reducing vacuuminsulated glass units with passive and active safety features as very slim and lightweight glazing solutions compared to conventional multi-pane insulated glass units.

The combination of vacuum insulating glass with thin glass is intended to ensure the passive safety required for laminated safety glass in terms of shatter resistance and residual load-bearing capacity. The additional incorporation of polycarbonate—a impact-resistant and ductile material—provides active safety by deterring break-ins as specialized safety glazing.

This unique composite thus extends, for the first time, the range of applications for vacuum insulating glass to safety-related requirements in the construction industry and makes a decisive contribution to the optimization of glazing in the building envelope in terms of thermal and acoustic insulation as well as safety.