SJ MEPLA
Brief Introduction
Version 3.5
August 2010
SJ Software GmbH Aachen
Dr.-Ing. Dirk Bohmann
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1 Geometry 3
2 Layer 3
2.1 Order of layers 3
2.2 Insulated glass units 3
3 Supports 4
3.1 Springs 4
3.2 Edge supports 4
3.3 Glass point fixings 4
3.4 Spacer 6
3.5 Elastic edge supports (structural glazing) 6
3.6 Elastic line supports 6
3.7 Edge bonding 6
3.8 Edge beam 7
4 Loads 7
4.1 Face loads 7
4.2 Dead weight 7
4.3 Concentrated loads 8
4.4 Line loads 8
4.5 Border Line loads 8
4.6 Climate loads 9
4.7 Pendulum impact (twin tire impactor) 9
4.8 Load case 10
4.9 Safety factors 11
5 Options 11
5.1 Linear and non-linear calculations 11
5.2 Stress results 11
5.3 Maximum stresses 11
6 General notes 12
6.1 Mesh refinement 12
6.2 Contact approaches 12
6.3 Calculations of insulated glass unit 12
6.4 Proof of stresses 13
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1 Geometry
- The panel form can be freely defined without delimitation. The corner points
are to be entered in mathematically positive order (against the clockwise
direction).
- The edges of the panel can be defined by the indication of a rotation center
as well in form of arcs. For a complete description of a round edge the
direction of rotation is needed. Thus it must be specified whether the circular
arc turns positive (against the clockwise direction) or negative around the
rotation center.
- The element mesh will be generated automatically by a “free”-meshing
algorithm so that any geometry can be build. The edges thereby are not
allowed to over-cross.
- As additional input the size (side length) of the elements which shall be
produced is needed.
- The accuracy of a finite element calculation depends on the mesh quality and
quantity. The side length of the elements is preset to 120 mm, which is
usually sufficient for normal panes sizes.
2 Layer
2.1 Order of layers
- Currently the German standards do not allow to set the bonding effect of the
PVB interlayers into account (except for insulating glass units). Therefore
laminated glass panes must here be calculated in one of the two following
methods:
o Usage of a very small modulus of elasticity for the bonding material
e.g. E = 0.01 N/mm². Then the glass panels are slightly connected and
can more or even slide of each other.
o Or the loads are partitioned according the specific stiffness of the
regarded pane. For example.: A laminated glass pane 10/0.76/10 mm
is loaded by a face load of 0.75 kN/m². Then one pane can be
calculated with a thickness of 10 mm, which will receive a half of the
loading (0.375 kN/m²).
- For countries where the bonding effect can be considered, it’s possible to
calculate laminated glass panels of any layout.
- The total number of layers must be odd, as two glass panels always must
encapsulate the intermediate bonding layer.
- The numbering of the panes takes place from the bottom to the top (in
positive z-direction), so as if they are laid on.
2.2 Insulated glass units
- Is more than one glass package selected (short denoted as: package), the
system will be considered as insulted glass unit.
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- Then the items for the description of the intermediate gap will open. Here
must be defined
o the filling gas (air, argon,...),
o the distance of the panes
o and the temperature changes for the gas.
- For calculations of insulating glass units the external (outside) pressure must
be given. As all calculations are done in the units „N/mm²“also the outside
pressure must be defined in this unit.
o Conversion : 1 bar = 0.1 N/mm², so that a usual air pressure of 1.010
bar must be keyed in with 0.101 N/mm².
- In addition a difference of height between the production and installation of
the insulating glass unit may be specified by ΔH [m].
- Further information will be found under climate loads.
3 Supports
3.1 Springs
- Spring supports as unique acting springs, which may be set at any desired
position in the plate for each of the 3 directions x, y and z and the 2 rotations
rigidities Cφ and Cθ.
- The unit for the spring rigidities is N/mm and Nmm/rad.
- When a stiffness of 0 N/mm is set, no spring stiffness will act in this direction.
- Automatically there are 3 springs suggested. In the first corner point of the
system in x- and y direction and in the second point only in y- direction.
These very weak springs (default value of 1.0 N/mm) are not designed to
carry any loads, only to prevent the system for uncontrolled in-plane moving
and rotating.
3.2 Edge supports
- From the table of support conditions the appropriate bearing design can be
chosen. These bearings will also be set for the thereover lying edges of the
next packages - if some has been defined.
- The standard simple support for glass pane edges is type 0.
- For improvement of symmetry conditions sometimes type 2 or/and 3 will be
used. Using this kind of supports the system can maximally be halved or
quartered to save computation time. Then also the loads must comply to this
symmetry condition and must be reduced in same way.
3.3 Glass point fixings
- Ten different kinds of glass fixings are available:
o type 1: Countersunk fixing
o type 2: Disk fixing
o type 3: Circular edge clamp support
o type 4: Angular edge clamp support
o type 5: Circular downholder
o type 6: Angular downholder
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o type 7: Adhesive plate fixing (without borehole)
o type 8: Countersunk fixing within the first pane only
o type 9: Countersunk fixing within the first package of an DGU
o type10: Disk fixing within the first package of DGU
- The glass fixings may be set at any desired position in the glass plate. But,
an angular clamp support cannot be set however into a corner position. If
clamp supports are set into the proximity of a corner, then here only straight
borders are possible and no round edges.
- The border of the glass fixings type 1,2, 7, 8, 9 and 10 may not lie nearer
than approx. 25 mm to the edges of the plate.
- The glass holders of kind 3 to 6 (clamp supports) have a supporting effect
over the separating rubber pad.
- The clamp fixings of kind 5 and 6 can’t be used to support the pane in plane
direction. They only work as downholders. Tangential to the glass edge all
kind of clamp supports cannot transfer forces to the glass. A binding of these
clamping fixings using rods must be regarded very conscientiously in order
not to produce a kinematic system.
- A glass point fixing must be defined first over its reference. Thus also
different kinds in a plate can be used.
- The pre-definitions are fictitious standard fixings with frequently occurring
dimensions, preset of us.
- New custom fixings can be permanently stored in the data base under
“settings/glass point fixings", so that they can always be reused.
- The finite element mesh is produced automatically. It can occur however that
an error message appears. Then the mesh could not be generated correctly
and the element size must be changed slightly up and down (+10 / -10mm).
- It is to note on an evenly distributed finite element mesh around the point
fixing, in order to obtain optimum results.
- The spring rigidities describe the rigidity of the sub-construction at the place
of the fixings base point or also its design. When the rotational degrees of
freedom Cφ und Cθ are set to zero, a ball shaped head will be described,
which can freely rotate.
- Alternatively the glass fixing can be connected using a sterical orientated rod.
This rod has hinges at his both ends, where it will be fixed at the wall and the
glass fixings base point.
- The distance Zh describes the position of the place, where the fixing design
ends and the springs are acting. E.g. if this point is lying 15 mm under the
bottom face of the plate, then this distance must be indicated with -15mm
(negatively), as its position is located against the direction of the positive z-
axis.
- The rotation behaviour of the clamp fixings (type 3 to 6) (all others always can
freely rotate around the z-axis) can be set to "rigid" (standard) or "free". For
rigid settings also torsion loads can be transferred by the glass fixing around
the z-axis.
- Clamp supports of type 3 to 6 are automatically set to "free", if a rod has been
set as connection.
- The downholders of type 5 and 6 act only from above (from negative z-
direction) the pane (the last glass package). They can be used thereby
additionally with other supports to suppress the displacement under suction
forces.
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- At all point fixings as well forces or moments can be separately applied.
3.4 Spacer
- The usage of spacers allow the definition of unsupported edges for insulated
glass units.
- Therefore the edges must be defined, which are not supported and shall
receive a spacer to combine the glass edges of these pane packages. This is
done in form of the characteristic values for the sealing material (e.g.
silicone).
- When a modulus of elasticity of 100 N/mm² (and shear modulus 0.0 N/mm²)
with a width of 5 mm is used, thus a almost constant distance is supposed
(default).
- Shall a more realistic behaviour be used, a non-linear behaviour can be
chosen, so that the distance (gap opening) may elastically increase but
decreasing will be suppressed, according to the contact conditions between
the panes and the intermediate aluminium profile. This method is only for
scientific studies.
3.5 Elastic edge supports (structural glazing)
- The elastic edge supports describe the bearing conditions of a panel which is
elastically supported at its borders.
- Contrary to the conditions of the edge supports, which are a rigid (stiff), here
the elastic effects of a bearing can be regarded.
- Additionally contact conditions can be chosen, when lifting plate corner may
arise.
- If one uses a shear modulus G not equal to zero, then this flexible support
works also tangential to the disk plane. This will be the behaviour of bonded
edges (structural glazing). The standard value for G is zero!
- The default value for a EPDM strip is: E-modulus = 10 – 40 N/mm² with a
width and height of the really used elastic profile. (in most cases approx.:
20x5mm)
3.6 Elastic line supports
- This boundary condition behaves exactly the same as the elastic edge
supports, only that it can be located anywhere within the plate. As this
supports may not lie at the edges of the panel, it is calculated in another
manner, for what here is used a separate register card.
- This elastic line support can as well use contact conditions, so that separation
can take place.
3.7 Edge bonding
- For bonded glass edges this kind of bearing can be set.
- All layers of all packages will then be glued with an elastic material.
- When the shear modulus G is set to zero, only normal forces to the glass
edge can be transmitted. In tangential direction moving of the pane will then
be possible.
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- The stresses and reaction forces within the bonding is written into the
protocol.
3.8 Edge beam
- At the edges an additional elastic beam can be set. This beam than will bear
some loads and will bend in addition to the glass edge.
- For definition the moment of inertia, the cross section area and the density
has to be given.
- The kind of bearing at the beginning (A) and ending (B) depends upon the
way the edge is supported, where the beam will start and end. Additionally to
the taken degrees of freedom further d.o.f. can be set. In this way a beam
can be simply supported, when no d.o.f’s are set for the enframing borders
(e.g. type 0).
- The beginning and ending of the beam is defined in the same direction as the
orientation of the corner points (counter clockwise).
- It’s not possible to use beams at curved borders.
4 Loads
4.1 Face loads
Constant distributed face loads:
- Face loads results from wind or snow, which acts normal onto the entire
panel area.
- Positive are loads, which act in positive z-direction. Thus usually wind and
snow loads must be given with a negative sign, as they act against the z-
direction onto the panel. Suction wind loads at rough edges or in the lee of
buildings must against it be positive defined, as they are pulling at the glass
panels.
- The loads must be given in the unit N/mm², so that values in kN/m² must be
divided by 1000. Or the value is furthermore written in units kN/m² and „e-3“
is added to this value (so this value is multiplied by 10-3). Example: 2.0 kN/m²
= 0.002 N/mm² or 2.0e-3 N/mm².
Linear distributed face loads:
- A linear increasing face load (may be constant as well) like water pressure or
unequal snow loading can be defined by the use of 2 reference points in y-
direction. In between these data y0 and y1 the loaded area will be set.
- The calculation of the loaded area is underlying a little approximation at the
border lines, which usually do not result in an error force greater than 0.5 N.
(see theory handbook)
4.2 Dead weight
- The dead weight can act in any desired direction onto the glass panel.
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- This direction is defined by a vector with 3 components (Vx, Vy, Vz), which
describes the gravity direction (and so the position of the panel in space).
- Examples:
Position of panel inclination Vx Vy Vz
angle
Horizontal 0° 0 0 -1
vertical (dead weight acts in positive x- not 1 0 0
direction) possible
vertical (dead weight acts in negative y – 90° 0 -1 0
direction)
Panel is turned around the x-axis by 45° 45° 0 -1 -1
4.3 Concentrated loads
- Concentrated loads may act at any desired position within the plate.
- The definition of loads take place in the unit of forces [N], which are uniformly
distributed over the defined loading area (Lx·Ly) and therefore again acts as
face loads.
- The position is defined by the center co-ordinates of this loading area.
- In this way also line loads can be specified. When e.g. Ly is chosen very
small ( e.g. 5 mm) but the length Lx reaches over the entire plate.
- Example: A horizontal line load shall be set in the height of 1 m over the x-
axis onto the glass panel with a loading of 1,0 kN/m. The length of the plate is
1.5 m and starts in the origin. The total loading due to this line load is: 1,5m x
1,0kN/m = 1,5 kN. In Newton the force amounts to –1500 N (negative, as it
shall act against the z-direction onto the plate). The centre of the loading lies
at x = 750mm and y = 1000mm. For the load distribution area a value for Lx =
1500mm (the length of the panel) and for Ly any desired value can be taken,
so that the effect is a line style loading (e.g.: Ly = 10-50mm).
- Shall loads due to walking persons be set, the load distribution area can be
set to 200x200mm with a total load of –1000N ( = 100kg weight of a person).
4.4 Line loads
- Line loads can be defined anywhere and as often you need.
- The used unit is [N/mm] or without conversion [kN/m].
- The starting and ending point of the line can lay anywhere. Loaded parts
outside the panel are not considered. But it’s more accurate, when the load is
located within the pane.
- Along this line 3 load directions qx, qy, and qz can be defined.
- The loading width along the line is zero. (see the concentrated loads in
contrast)
4.5 Border Line loads
- Along each border line loads may be set, which act transversal onto the
border or normal inplane direction.
- This can be done for straight or curved borders.
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4.6 Climate loads
- There could be set all kind of climate loads:
o Internal pressure of the gas in the gap
o barometric pressure (outside the insulating unit)
o temperature differences for the filling gas
o differences of height between the production and the installation of the
insulating unit
- According to the German standard two load cases can automatically be
considered:
Load Production Installation Pressure Temperature Note
case difference difference
[mbar] [°]
Winter Summer Winter +40 2-27= -25° Pane arches
+27° / 990 +2° / 1030 inside
mbar mbar
Summer Winter Summer -20 38-19 = 19° Pane arches
+19° / 1030 38° / 1010 outside
mbar mbar
These load cases are specified in SJ MEPLA as follows:
Load Internal pressure Outside pressure Temperature Difference of
case pi [N/mm²] pa [N/mm²] difference ΔT height ΔH [m]
Winter 0.099 0.103 -25° when lower
installed than
produced
→ ΔH = -300m
Summer 0.103 0.101 +19 when higher
installed than
produced
→ ΔH = 600m
- These loading conditions can automatically be inserted using the pop up
menu Winter/Summer.
- Other climatic loads can be defined separately in a database.
4.7 Pendulum impact (twin tire impactor)
- When glass panels are planned with drop securing function, the German
standard TRAV (“Technische Regeln für die Verwendung absturzsichernder
Verglasungen”) must be observed to avoid expensive tests. Otherwise
pendulum impact tests according to the European Standard DIN EN 12600
must be carried out at side. This test is passed, when no large pieces of
broken glass fall to ground – with the result that the distorted glass panels
must be replaced.
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- In many cases systems are designed, which do not match with these
specified dimensions.
- In these and other cases SJ MEPLA can be taken to design the glass panels
until these calculations in Germany are accepted for statics from all
authorities.
- The dynamic calculation of impact takes place be selecting the point of
impact and the drop height of the pendulum body.
- These points of impact shall lie 250 mm away from the edges and corners of
the plate or the fixings. Three points of impact shall be examined:
o In the centre,
o at the corner,
o and at the edge of the glass plate.
- The panels have than passed, when the maximal principal stresses are not
exceeded (only for pendulum test):
o Float glass 80 N/mm²
o heat strengthened glass 120 N/mm²
o heat toughened glass 170 N/mm²
- For the pendulum simulation the option „non linear calculation“ must be
chosen, as the results are otherwise not exact.
- Furthermore the state for the glass plates must be free from static loads. That
is,
o no face loads,
o no concentrated loads,
o no dead weight,
o no temperature differences,
o internal pressure = outside pressure for insulating glass units
may act beneath the pendulum impact load. Otherwise these loads are
considered as well, which will lead to uncontrolled vibrations of the plate,
before the pendulum impacts the pane.
- The pendulum impact onto the first (inside) or last glass package (from
outside).
4.8 Load case
- Starting with new predefined loads for wind acting onto the outside and inside
pane and snow only loading the outside pane, load combinations with respect
to other loads can be set here.
- For this, the loads (suction, pressure or nothing) can be chosen, what the is
coupled with the selected load case.
- This combination can additionally be defined with safety factors, only
multiplying the selected loads.
- Line loads and point loads cannot be chosen new. They are taken from the
definition under <loads>.
- To consider the climatic loading, 4 presets can be chosen:
o Winter condition (the pane are contracting)
o Summer condition (the panes will expand)
o Predefined load case (definition took place under <layer>)
o No climatic loadings
- As well other self defined climatic loads can be stored in a database and may
be used here.
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- Line loads and point loads must be defined within the loading card <loads>.
But the coefficients to multiply these loads for a loadcase can be set here.
- The load cases are automatically calculated and written into the protocol.
Within the graphics surface these calculations can be shown by selecting
<step>.
4.9 Safety factors
- According to new standards, safety factors can be set here. This will work in
the same way as under <loadcase>; but without the possibility to choose new
loads.
- All face loads previously defined are considered and multiplied by a safety
factor:
o Dead weight
o Face loads (including linear loads, not applying the total pane area)
o Line loads
o Point loads
o Climatic loads
- The definition of the loading situation is carried out under <layer> and
<loads>.
- The cards <loadcase> and <safety factors> can’t be chosen at the same
time.
5 Options
5.1 Linear and non-linear calculations
- Optional linear or non-linear geometric calculation can be set (large
deformation lateral to the panels plane).
- The approach of large deformations is significant, when the deformations of a
simply supported plate are larger than the thickness of the plate. The plate
activates the load carrying mechanism of membran forces which will increase
the stiffness and decreased stresses will occur – in contrast to linear
calculations, which is a linearisation, only valid for small deflections.
5.2 Stress results
- At any desired positions within the plate points can be selected, where results
in form of stresses and displacements shall be obtained (printouts in the
protocol).
- These points are determined by their position (x and y) and the according
package.
5.3 Maximum stresses
- It can be defined which extremal stresses will be written into the protocol.
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- You can chose the maximum principal stresses, the minimal principal
stresses and the VonMises stress for metallic panels.
6 General notes
6.1 Mesh refinement
- The element size is as default set to 120 mm. The element discretisation is
automatically chosen, so that quadrilateral elements are build.
- This standard element size of 120mm is only a suggestion and may be
changed according to the desired accuracy. Therefore is advisable to check
the mesh quality by using the “system preview” before the calculation is
started.
- Even when point fixings are used, it is very important to get a uniform, fine
mesh around the point fixings to guarantee the quality of the calculation.
- It may arise, that the mesh for point fixings can’t be created. Then the
element size must be slightly in- or decreased to achieve a well formed mesh.
6.2 Contact approaches
- Many calculations can be carried out with contact approaches.
- For separation of the two touching components, the program has to iterate to
build a convergent solution.
- The definition of detachment takes place by considering the tolerance value.
This tolerance describes the distance changes between the two parts until
they uncouple. Basically: The stiffer one of the two components is, the
smaller the tolerance must be chosen.
- Example:
o A plate lies upon a weak rubber strip with E = 5 - 20 N/mm². A usable
value for tolerance is 0.01mm.
o When a stiffer strip of plastic is used (e.g. POM with E = 3000 N/mm²)
the tolerance shall be set to 0.0001mm.
o If the glass panel is lying even in direct contact to aluminium (E =
70000 N/mm²), the tolerance must be further decreased (e.g. 1.0e-
6mm).
- Through detachment the static system may be changed. Attention must be
paid to not achieve a unstable undetermined behaviour. To work against,
springs can be used which must be defined in a way that they doesn’t affect
the mechanical system.
6.3 Calculations of insulated glass unit
- The calculation approaches here used, describe the exact boyle’s law of gas
and isn’t an approximation.
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- As well the gas rearrangements are considered, whereby the program needs
in some cases up to approx. 200 iterations until the gas pressure inside the
unit has been adjusted to the same value at any position.
- Pendulum impact calculations can be carried out for insulating glass units
too.
- When point fixings are used in insulating units, automatically spacers are set
at the bore hole rim. Therefore the definition in spacers will be used, even
when no free edge has been selected! Regard the register card under:
„Supports -> Spacer“. (see section “spacer”),
6.4 Proof of stresses
- For glass components the proof of stresses is done by comparing the
maximum principal stresses with the allowed stresses due to the table below.
- These calculated values can be found in the protocol under the item
„Maximum principal stresses“ and are listed there for each package.
Permissible principal stresses [N/mm²] : (German Standard)
Kind of glass Horizontal glazing Vertical glazing
heat toughened glass 50 50
form float glass
heat toughened glass 37 37
from cast glass
enamelled heat 30 30
toughened glass form
float glass *
heat strengthened 29 29
glass
enamelled heat 18 18
strengthened glass*
float glass 12 18
cast glass 8 10
laminated glass from 15 (25**) 22,5
Float glass
* enamel on tension side
** is only for the bottom laminated glass of a horizontal insulating glass unit for the
load case of failure for the upper glass panel allowed
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