When architects and engineers are looking to create long spans of structural glass in a building design, the use of cable net and tension trusses allows for greater design flexibility and creativity. W&W Glass has extensive experience working with these methods to execute complex structural glass designs.
The cable net wall offers the thinnest, most transparent solution for minimally supported glass applications. For almost 20 years, the cable net has offered architects and engineers the ability to span great distances without the need for large, heavy-structured elements within the glazed area.
Cable nets can be one-way or two-way nets – spanning either vertical only or vertical and horizontal. Structural Glass panels of almost any configuration can be used to enclose the space. They are mounted by the use of countersunk Pilkington Planar™ bolt assemblies or custom patch fitting clamps made of steel, stainless steel, or aluminum.
Tension Trusses
Various forms of cable-stayed tension structures can be used to support a Pilkington Planar™ facade. They can take the form of simple strong back steel trusses, bow-string trusses, or lighter weight, more filigree cable trusses. Designers have complete freedom and flexibility when designing these trusses. These structures can be internal or external to the glass plane. They are often used to keep the structure as transparent as possible, while requiring lower tension loads on the boundary support structure than a cable net wall. Tension trusses can be supplied by W&W Glass as part of a single source Pilkington Planar™ solution with glass and fittings.
There are many variations and options for cable nets and tensions trusses available depending on the design intent and structure available. Please consult a W&W Glass architectural design specialist for specific application recommendations.
