Search results for "GLASS"

A multichannel piezo driver for active mirrors in X-ray telescopes

2016

X-ray astronomy is gaining importance for studying X-ray space sources such as single and binary stars, neutron stars, supernovae and black holes. Due to atmospheric absorption, X-ray telescopes must operate in space on satellites. Among the causes limiting the resolution of modern telescopes are distortions in mirrors shape. An innovative approach for X-ray mirrors aims at correcting the shape errors by means of piezo-ceramic actuators glued to the back of the mirrors, thus creating an “active mirror”. In order to test the viability of shape correction, we fabricated [1] a prototype of a thin glass active mirror, sized 20 cm x 20 cm with a 400 um thickness (Fig. 1). The mirror can allocate…

COMPRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF LAMINATED GLASS COLUMNS

2014

This paper examines the behavior in compression of glass columns having tee (T) transverse cross-sections. The work highlights the issues recurring in the design of glass columns in rapid diffusion in the transparent architecture such as: - flexural and torsional buckling; - long-term effects and effects related to the temperature; - glued connections between single panels. In the work expressions are given for the calculation of the loadcarrying capacity of columns. The cases of full connection and absence of connection between the panels are analyzed and discussed. The comparison between the analytical and the experimental results highlights that in the case of glass columns with T cross-…

Compressive behaviour of laminated glass columns with T cross-sections

2014

Properties of blended mortars produced with recycled by-products from different waste streams

2023

The construction industry encounters significant challenges in effectively managing solid waste produced during the extraction and production of building materials. In different countries, slurry waste generated from granite and marble processing industries, such as glass industry waste, constitutes a considerable portion of the total solid waste. Its undesirable disposal is causing unprecedented environmental damage. Using these non-biodegradable wastes to produce building materials would reduce the environmental burden and contribute to sustainable construction. This study, in detail, investigates the feasibility of utilizing Granite Powder (GP), Ground Granite Powder (GGP), and Ground Gl…

Load Carrying Capacity of Glass Columns with Rectangular, T and X Transverse Cross-sections

2014

In this study, the load carrying capacities of glass columns with rectangular, T and X cross-sections having different lengths were calculated. The proposed analytical procedure allows to calculate the load carrying capacity associated with strength of transverse cross-section including local and global flexural and/or torsional buckling phenomenon. Moreover, initial imperfections and time dependant effects, the latter associated with the viscoelastic behaviour of interlayer (PVB), were included in the model as suggested in the literature. Those effects were calculated by introducing the equivalent thickness of glass panels, which takes into account the shear modulus of PVB and the viscolea…

Innovative Photovoltaic Translucent Components for the Building Envelope

2014

International directives that regulates buildings energy efficiency and environmental sustainability establish strict parameters for the construction of a new generation of “Zero Energy Buildings” indicating transmittance limits for building envelope components and encouraging the use of renewable sources. In this sense, the PV sector aims at the definition of novel efficient solutions for the integration in the building envelope, standing out for their multifunctional features. After an overview on the main PV technologies and building integrated applications, focusing on semi-transparent envelope solutions, the paper shows the results of a research that is being carried out at the Departm…

Transparent and sustainable materials

2013

The search for greater transparency in buildings characterizes the current architectural scenario: the use of glass is more and more common in both the design of new buildings and for renovation. However, the design of the transparent part of the building envelope is critical to the achievement of efficiency and sustainability. There are several research companies that aim to improve the energy performance especially of the glass. Today there is a wide range of products capable of providing different solutions, depending on the aesthetic and technical requirements of the structure in question. The aim of this article is to provide a clear overview of the possibilities of the transparent mat…

Integrazione di celle solari di terza generazione nel vetromattone per la realizzazione di involucri edilizi traslucidi fotovoltaici

2013

L’integrazione di celle solari di terza generazione - Dye-sensitised Solar Cells (DSSC) - nel vetromattone consente di ottenere un prodotto edilizio in grado di generare energia pulita, personalizzabile in termini di colore, livelli di trasparenza e fi niture, adatto alla realizzazione di componenti edilizi fotovoltaici, traslucidi e multifunzionali, facilmente integrabili nelle chiusure degli edifi ci per la costruzione di involucri edilizi energeticamente effi cienti ed attivi anche in contesti climatici avversi, quali possono essere quelli del Mediterraneo e delle aree subtropicali. L’articolo illustra 4 differenti ipotesi di integrazione delle DSSC nel vetromattone fornendo, per ciascun…

MASS-PRODUCED ELEMENT IN STRUCTURAL GLASS: “ARTIFICIAL VINEYARD”

2014

The aim is to design an architectural element flexible and easily adaptable to different urban situations using a material such as glass that, for the last years, is being employed as a structural element. The mass-production is rarely applied to glass construction systems that instead are usually designed case by case. The paper reports the results of a research carried out by the Dipartmento di Architettura and Dipartimento DICAM (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, Aerospaziale, dei Materiali), of the University of Palermo, within the project "VESTRA" (POFESR 2007/2013 - Action Line 4.1.1.1), that aims to the experimentation of mass-produced elements in structural glass. The p…

Integration of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Glassblock

2012

The paper will show the first results of a research (included in a larger work about the Improvement of glassblocks performance in order to use them for the construction of sustainable translucent building envelops even in Mediterranean and Tropical Areas) aimed to the integration of glassblock with the DSC technology. Glassblock is a high-performance type of glass in the field of sustainable architectural claddings: the process of deposition of the cells on the single glassblock, their best position and the performance of this new kind of glassblock, DSC integrated, will be discussed in the paper in terms of transmittance, light transmission and aesthetical effects, together with the probl…