high performance and intelligence of glass technologies in

Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture 14 (2020) 199-206 doi: 10.17265/1934-7359/2020.04.003

High Performance and Intelligence of Glass

Technologies in Architecture

Consiglia Mocerino

Faculty of Architecture, Sapienza University of Rome-Miur, Rome 00100, Italy Abstract: The new production models that aim at both the improvement of the various new processes and the existing ones, create new markets with innovative business methods and introduce sufficient technological solutions for the conversion and enhancement of electricity in construction. The objectives are of innovative glass technologies in the new building process with lean manufacturing, and robotic devices, follow criteria according to the needs of energy efficiency, energy saving, usability, reliability, thermo-hygrometric well-being, appearance, visual, acoustic well-being, reduction costs, safety of building systems and productivity. We highlight the strategic application of integrated design instrumentation and methodologies, digital fabrication, for intelligent, dynamic, adaptive and LED enclosures, BIPV (building integrated photovoltaics) with intelligent glass facades integrated with photovoltaic panels, with hybrid hydrogen systems and integration of RES (renewable energy sources) on the network, and their reliability. The criteria are for the use of clean energy with renewable resources. The challenge is new building models, with an increase in scientific support, in the application of intelligent glass technologies and in the efficient use of the various solutions that aim to reduce energy needs, with passive use of clean energy from RES. Key words: Glass efficiency, technology innovation, new models, BIPV.

1. Introduction

In the emerging global climate crisis and with a

view to sustainable development, sustainability

criteria are increasing in support of environmental

issues, according to European and global regulations

and through economic political strategies, since the

construction of buildings represents the main source

of higher energy consumption. To this end, the use of

renewable resources is increased, indicating a high

rate of atmospheric pollution, of which around 40% is

in the EU, and of materials, with around 36% of

consumption, which requires the use of renewable

resources. And in this perspective, the application of

high energy efficiency performing technologies with

particular use of glass stands out in innovative

Corresponding author: Consiglia Mocerino, Arch. Ph.D.,

Already contract professor in the Faculty of Architecture, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, research fields: technological innovation, sustainable and smart systems, AI, energy and environmental requalification of buildings. E-mail: [email protected].

envelopes and building systems aimed at the passive

use of solar radiation for energy production, and in

compliance with new market demands, in terms of

industrial competitiveness and security of energy

supply.

The application of prefabrication systems (as in

Lean Construction [1] a manufacturing with BIM

(Building Information Modeling) and in the industrial

sector of entrepreneurs), light, dry, with off-site

construction, for the construction of new building

models, highly performance and flexible, it reduces

construction time and costs. It aims at safety and

productivity with in-site assembly, use of automated

systems and robots, involving not only large, but also

small and medium-sized enterprises, in terms of

competitiveness. With this in mind, the new product

process launches advanced, flexible and efficient

materials, highlighting glass and derivatives which,

integrated with the various construction systems, by

intelligent and enabling technologies, and the latest

generation of nanotechnologies, create casings with

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High Performance and Intelligence of Glass Technologies in Architecture

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adaptive and efficient facades that mitigate energy and

environmental flows by contextualizing with the

territory, with a low environmental impact. In the

construction sector, dynamic, efficient facades with

double or triple skin with the use of laminated glass,

float and its derivatives are advancing, with the

integration of nanocolours, laminated glass, hybrid

hydrogen solar panels, photovoltaic, selective and

solar control, in which IT (Information Technology)

stands out, of digital fabrication with digital CNC

(Computer Numeric Control) technologies. The

automated movement of the glass plates, 3D prints

such as the chromoglass for the reproduction of

drawings on the glass, the laser etc. are carried out,

aimed at the transformation and manufacture with

collaborative intelligent robots on construction sites.

The versatility of the types of energy glass,

integrated into the casings, allows the use of different

sheets according to their degree of transparency with

the ability to convert passive solar energy into

electricity, often integrated by the use of PCM

(Phase Change Material), energy storage. Then

construction technologies are applied in the

components of high and performance glass facades

that favor the passive use of solar energy, with relative

insulation and reduction of heat flow, with comfort of

the internal microclimate and reduction of temperature

from thermal peaks. This depends mainly on the

coating and composition of the slabs. They integrate

hydrogen solar panel systems which together with

photovoltaic systems can provide thermal and

electrical energy with a single hybrid technology with

storage systems.

So approach, in the various design choices, to

sustainability and technical-economic feasibility

through the know-how of glass technologies and its

high performance, is with quality control and

intervention management.

In this context, the use of renewable energies

becomes the driving force for new building models

that therefore tend towards sustainability, energy

saving with Net_ZEB buildings with zero

environmental impact [2], according to objectives for

reducing greenhouse gases, for 2050, and production

32% of renewable energy for 2030 and over 45% of

electricity, worldwide by 2040, according to the IEA

(International Energy Agency) annual report 2108 [3].

2. Glass Technologies: High Performing Façades

Vertical and horizontal closures collaborate in the

creation of intelligent and adaptive enclosures, with

the application of innovative high-performance

construction technologies, which aim at the use of

intelligent and sustainable materials including glass.

According to a strategic framework of Lean

Construction [4] with BIM instrumentation, results are

optimized with an increase in productivity, reduction

of costs and processing times, reduction of waste

(about 30/40%), improvement of site management and

personnel. For this purpose, robotic lifting systems,

cranes are used, as an alternative to traditional

scaffolding on construction sites.

Since the need for energy supply in residential areas

is mainly determined by the performance requirements

of efficient closures that target the use of glass, the

conversion of passive solar energy into building

envelopes characterized by environmental safety,

structural, integrity and durability performance.

For this purpose, among the materials, we focus on

glass, as an amorphous material, without crystalline

structure, regulated by EN 572-1: 2012 + A1: 2016 [5],

expressed by the chemical formula SiO4 of negative

charge (a silicon atom which from the center of the

tetrahedral structure of the silicon connects to four

vertices of the oxygen atom), and produced by the

solidification of a viscous material. It is mainly

adopted for its transparency, ductility, versatility,

hardness from 5 to 7 degrees on the Mohs scale,

inalterability, impermeability to liquids, fragility, with

electrical and thermal acoustic insulation performance

and resistance to chemical agent.


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(a) (b)

Fig. 1 Glass facades. Q-Air system: structural plate fixing detail with external joints with horizontal seals (a-01), vertical seals (b-04) and self-extinguishing foam (a, b-02). Source: Ref. [9].

Among some critical aspects of the use of glass,

from an energy point of view, that is relating to the

high melting points of silicon dioxide, a mineral with

a melting point of about 1,800 °C (the glass transition

temperatures Tg, where polymers undergo a change of

state, depend on the cooling rate and the chemistry of

the glass melt). In this regard, high temperatures are

required with the use of natural sands, while the

recycling of glass becomes a more sustainable

production.

2.1 The Systems

For tall buildings and skyscrapers, according to the

prefabrication criteria of Lean Construction and Lean

Manufacturing, with off-site manufacturing principles

and rapid on-site installation [6], the different types of

vertical, inclined, polygonal continuous curtain walls

are widespread glass panel, in double or triple glass.

The curtain walls [7] indicate an evolution of the

traditional façade in opaque elements, and take on a

double role of closure and radiant system of renewable

solar energy, with reduction of heat losses due, above

all to the reduction of thermal bridges and

guaranteeing the resistance to air and water.

They are also equalized for the purpose of rebalancing,

between the internal pressure of the double glazing

with the external pressure, according to the principle

of pressure equalization or water management,

according to which they can be classified into curtain

wall facades.

Two large types of systems can be classified

according to the manufacturing method and their

installation (external and internal), of which stick

systems, in which the frames with the glazed or

opaque panels are installed individually, and unitized

or modular system for large volumes, skyscrapers, in

which the curtain wall is largely built in the factory,

off-site and transported on site and then mounted

on-site, using intelligent robots. These are

distinguished in STCRs (Single-Task Construction

Robots) [8] for the assembly, from the outside, with

aerial robots, shuttle systems for facade installation


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robots, etc., improving timing and productivity in the

construction sector.

In addition, these systems are also intended for the

maintenance functions of glass facades, especially for

skyscrapers where all the automated systems for

smoke, fire control, summer and winter air

conditioning and shading are set up.

The modules of the glass panels are usually made

on one floor and are assembled with other modules, in

the vertical and horizontal uprights, with installation,

generally from the outside.

The high energy performance is complemented by

99-100% transparency with invisible LED wiring that

does not compromise the transparency of the glass.

For this purpose, the new colored laminated glasses

are launched in which, by adding more layers of films

of the same color, transparency remains for the

contribution of daylight, while increasing the level of

opacity, as in the new glasses with “coating on

demand” and solar controlled, stratobel color from

AGC (Asahi Glass Company).

The color with the different technologies of

laminated glass in the multiple-skin glass facades

becomes an essential and productive factor for the

visual comfort of the inhabitants, which according to

the International WELL Building Institute, exposure

to sunlight improves health, readiness and the mood of

the inhabitants with reduced use of HVAC systems

and artificial lighting.

Among the types of high-performance curtain walls,

the Q-Air modular glass system of the European

Project Horizon 2020 also stands out, which presents

energy saving reduction capabilities of 15-35 kWh/m2,

with high energy efficiency, and installation, living

comfort and thermal insulation.

It is at least twice as high as that produced by

traditional glass facades, indicating low values of

thermal transmittance (EN ISO 12631:2012),

throughout the module, with Ucw ≥ 0.30 W/m2·K,

from a six-layered core.

Towards almost zero-energy buildings Net-ZEB in

the 2030 European targets and for the redevelopment

of buildings, the Qbiss Air patented Qbiss Air

prefabrication building system (Fig. 1) is made with a

multilayer core (a) insulators transparent, translucent

and opaque which, without the use of blackouts,

ensures maximum environmental comfort and indoor

quality, with high daylight transmission capacity.

This system constitutes an increase for the economy

in the construction sector due to the decrease in the

demand for energy supply, compared to the high

energy efficiency, requiring less maintenance and

reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Its application is achieved through advanced

modularity technology, with modular seals and joints

flush with the facade and distinguishing, currently,

this most sustainable and efficient glass system in the

world, with greater advantages in LCA, compared to

glass facades garde.

The structural support is made with extruded

polymer profiles, suitable for a design with high

architectural decoration requirements for

homogeneous surfaces, flush with the internal/external

facade, with excellent thermal insulation and in

aluminum or steel profiles (b), for high requirements

of robustness and integration of types of glass

envelopes.

The facade is assembled from the inside. The

system adopts types of tempered, laminated, digitally

printed, colored and float glass plates, sodium-calcium

product, commonly used in construction, poured in the

liquid state, at temperatures of about 1,000 °C, which

during the transformation process the slab “floats”

from to float, on a layer of molten tin.

In particular, the multilayer glass core with 3-6

insulating layers is made up of a tempered/laminated

or only tempered glass sheet, while the inner layer

varies from laminated safety glass sheets also

containing gas or single glass sheets.

Some data are considered that building production

processes in these modular systems, which can be

integrated from inside the building, with the different


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sizing of transparent and translucent modules and

other values of technical specifications. In fact, the

thicknesses (117-149 mm), widths (850-1,250 mm),

heights (850-4,000 mm) and weight (55-125 kg/m2) of

the transparent/translucent glass are variable compared

to those of the opaque modules, with different

thicknesses (124-137 mm), widths (500-1,250 mm),

heights (300-4,000 mm) and weight (40-75 kg/m2).

The Ucw values of thermal transmittance (0.21-0.49

W/m2·K) of the transparent glass/t are also visibly

different compared to the transmittance values (0.19

W/m2·K) of the opaque glass, while the acoustic

insulation of both types of glass, is almost the same

with Rw values (43/46-60 dB) (Figs. 2 and 3). Finally,

the water permeability values are the same, with

(900-1,500 Pa) indices of resistance to driving rain

under pulsating pressure, of air permeability (n; C

(m3/Pa·s)) with 0.1 m3/m2/hr at 50 Pa, resistance to

wind load with a minimum value of 1.25 at L/400 kPa,

reaction to fire B-s1, d0. On the other hand, NPD (No

Performance Determined) values for fire resistance are

transparent/translucent modules, while EI 60 values

for opaque ones. It is essential to observe that the

recycling of the material is 97%, as the main objective

of sustainability, featuring excellent indoor comfort

performance with reduced values of thermal insulation

U and solar gain g, reducing the thermal energy

requirement, both in winter and in summer, with

further acoustic insulation performances, up to 60 Db.

In fact, the walls are up to 30% thinner than

conventional curtain walls with double, triple glazing

with high performance results and greater visual comfort,

compared to 70% of transparent surfaces foreseen by

the building regulations for curtain wall systems in glass.

The prefabricated curtain wall system consists of a

self-supporting structure, stick system, consisting of a

thermal break structural lattice, usually with

polyamide thermal rods, with vertical uprights and

horizontal crosspieces (frontal and sequential) that are

assembled in work, connected together by connecting

tubes. The stick system facade is anchored to the

Fig. 2 Q-Air system: detail with multilayers. Source: Ref. [10].

Fig. 3 Q-Air system: detail of anchoring joints and modules on the facade. Source: Ref. [10].

primary load-bearing structure of the building, usually

through bracket brackets in galvanized and painted

halfen type steel, with three-dimensional adjustment

and fixed with galvanized steel screws in the attic.

The brackets have the dual role, in addition to

anchoring, of absorbing the construction tolerances of

the different types of load-bearing structure such as

those in reinforced concrete, wood, steel, etc.

Various factors such as climatic and contextual data,


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technical performance variants of the components of

the facade system, with the relative typology of the

structural lattice and of the glass panels, and the

materials used, contribute to the high performance of

the glass curtain wall.

To these are integrated the vision and sprandel areas

of the construction and the architectural configuration

of the building, in which typological and construction

characteristics affect the types of roof and the different

envelope openings.

The conductance of the structural lattice of the curtain

walls depends on the frame material, its geometric

conformation and the manufacturing method (e.g.

thermal break). In particular, energy efficiency is

mainly entrusted to the type and quality of the solar

control glass panels, the hybrid solar type with hydrogen

gas, etc. These sustainable and recyclable glass panels

made from organic components, and with reduced

dimensions, compared to traditional ones, albeit with

low efficiency in summer, caused by the overheating

of solar cells, have high thermal conversion

performance, in electricity and storage of solar

radiation, characterized by an integrated renewable

solar energy system and hybrid storage HRES (Hybrid

Renewable Energy System) [11]. In fact, the

production of electricity during the night turns into

hydrogen gas, giving the cells the possibility of

increasing operation, intended for both electricity and

thermal energy in buildings, integrating photovoltaic

and solar thermal into a single technology. Among the

energy glasses, thin-film cell photovoltaic, second

generation with conventional thin-film PV and third

generation with emerging thin-film PV, integrate in

efficient glass casings indicating the BIPV

photovoltaic buildings that use solar energy

passive and convert it into electricity with highly

qualitative environmental and user comfort solutions

[12].

They are integrated into double and triple skin

façade systems with a high potential that has reached

29.3% worldwide with a new capacity of 98.9 Gw

following different types of photovoltaics in which

conversions are recorded for graphene panels

electricity of 12.6% in modules greater than 50 cm2

(modification between the perovskite layer and those

of the transport in charge of the interfaces in the PV

cells).

3. Case Study

The design of a sustainable building, based on BIM

methodology, of a tall building is intended in France

as IGH (Immeuble de Grand Hauter) by presenting the

double-skin glass facade of the RFR, of about 70,000

m2, photovoltaic panels of the facades, panoramic lift,

etc. of the new Paris Court of RPBW of 2017.

The BIPV building is 160 meters high with the

construction of 38 floors, 28 of which are high, in the

Salle des pas Perdus, on the ground floor, facing the

square on the Avenue de la Porte-de-Clichy, and

highlights a decreasing subdivision in height, of three

self-supporting prefabricated off-site blocks, of about

50,000 square meters with high energy efficiency

performance, with the use of Saint Gobain

silk-screened glass for solar control, thermal

insulation and fire protection with Guardian Glass.

The technical characteristics indicate high

environmental and acoustic requirements with the

Schüco double glazed leather, of which the first is

laminated and externally ventilated and ventilation

opening in the cavity. It highlights the application of

the COOL-LITE® SKN 054 type, by SGG

CLIMAPLUS as an insulator and for safety, low

emissivity with a coating of metal oxides for thermal

insulation (U value), energy saving, with COOL glass

sheets-LITE® ST BRIGHT SILVER for its excellent

properties of transparency, aesthetics and sun

protection. In fact, this last type represents a coated

glass of the magnetronic type formed by layers of

metal alloys deposited inwards, on an extra-light

support, with excellent mechanical resistance and

durability over time. So it can be layered, tempered

and curved with coating in contact with the plastic


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film (dimensions varying from 0.38 mm onwards

according to the needs of break-in, fall, etc.) of PVB

(polyvinyl butyral), ensuring the bonding of the

laminated glass products. The improvement of the

safety performance of glass is also achieved as a

function of the increase in the size of the PVB, in

different types that vary from translucent, transparent,

colored and acoustic glass.

COOL-LITE® SKN 054 is a glass with high solar

performance resisting the high level of UV radiation,

energy saving with internal comfort in which

overheating is reduced up to 5 °C, with high visual

transmittance. The solar control takes place through

internal glass screens that control radiation and reflect

the increase in heat, with selective plates equipped

with magnetronic or pyrolytic coatings with a light

transmitting potential, colored and semi-reflective,

with a double capacity of functions of the low

emissivity glass and solar control glass. This type of

glass has requirements of transparency to the visible

part of solar radiation, and of reflectance with respect

to the infrared part, of heat transmission with thermal

transmittance of 1.76 W/m2·K, lower than the 5.8

W/m2·K of standard glasses of the light plane type.

This glass too can be tempered, laminated, stacked

and inserted into the double glazing and complies with

European directives and EU standards in the

manufacturing process, indicating that of lamination

or “layering” as the superposition of several layers of

vacuum glass, interposed with PVB thermoplastic

gluing film. The glass enclosure integrated by ISSOL

and Permasteelisa photovoltaic panels (Fig. 4), both

on the west and east walls, highlights a backbone with

photovoltaic brises soleil which indicates the elevator

system with glass closuresand reports an energy

consumption of 75 kWh/m2/year, compared to an

energy production of 175MW/h/year, having a power

of 325 kWp, an annual yield of 312 MWp, with

laminated glass.It is a sustainable energy-efficient

building that signals high efficiency and reduced

energy consumption. The SGG CLIMAPLUS 4S

Fig.4 New Court of Paris-RPBW. Double skin glass facade with photovoltaic panels. Source: photo by the author Consiglia Mocerino.

system is one of the best insulating glass with

reinforced thermal insulation, with double

high-performance sealing barrier with magnetronic

treatment plates that significantly reduce the heat

exchange from hot to cold.

The double glazing is formed by an external sheet

of clear glass with low emissivity and low solar factor,

hermetically sealed cavity, with dimensions ranging

from 6 to 20 mm. It is observed that the greater the

cavity, the lower the thermal transmittance U and with

a clear glass plate in the interior, moreover to improve

the reduction of thermal transmittance, the air in the

cavity is usually replaced with mixtures of gas, or

from noble gases of which are Argon and Kripton. So

there are U values of 1.1 W/m2·K with about 15 mm

of Argon, which shows a significant insulating power

of 2.5 times, greater than a traditional facade with

thicknesses ranging from 4-12-4 mm and 5 times

greater than a 4 mm monolithic glass.

4. Conclusions

Current energy strategies aim at sustainability

understood as a fundamental factor of environmental

and social well-being, which requires a comfortable


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and quality habitat. The construction sector that

affects the environment with a high rate of pollution in

the air and high CO2 indices, worldwide, can

contribute to these objectives, through innovative

methodologies, with the application of advanced and

intelligent technologies [13], in strategies use of

renewable energy, for new buildings and for

redevelopment.

Therefore we aim at tall buildings, skyscrapers

intended mainly for the tertiary, commercial, offices,

and hospitals, very energy-intensive, through the BIM

design, prefabrication, according to Lean Construction

and Lean Manufacturing criteria. The challenge for a

sustainable design process in architecture indicates the

spread of excellent dynamic glass enclosures [14],

adaptive to energy efficiency on criteria of

environmental comfort, building quality and user

well-being. Therefore, he developed market models

with high business for the supply of new performing

technologies and energy aggregators from RES

renewable sources, in the production of the building

sector with HRES storage systems.

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