Saint-Gobain has predicted that its results for the first half of 1996 are likely to be better than forecast. The French group made 1995 first-half profits of FFr 2.1 billion and FFr 4.2 billion for t…
Saint-Gobain has predicted that its results for the first half of 1996 are likely to be better than forecast. The French group made 1995 first-half profits of FFr 2.1 billion and FFr 4.2 billion for the entire year as reported in Glass-Technology International no. 3-96. Sales in Germany, France and northern Europe remained relatively unchanged during the first half of 1996 but there was a significant upturn in activities in the UK, Spain and Italy, as well as in USA and Latin America. In addition, Saint-Gobain has announced that it has launched a structural glazing system with a fixing method designed to reduce stress. According to the French group, this could lead to larger panes of glass being used than is possible with rival systems. Called Spider Glass, the key to the system is a ball joint that fits into a mounting hole in the glass. Saint-Gobain claims this swivel joint reduces stress between the fixed structure and the glass pane compared with conventional structural glazing systems, which have fixed, flat-head bolts. The flat-head bolt allows lateral movement, but it does not let the glass bend and bow, says Saint-Gobain. The stainless steel knuckle joint of the Spider Glass system also allows lateral movement, but its spherical shape means the glass can also bend without straining against the bolt. Oversize holes in the glass also allow for excessive deflection along the vertical plane. Spider Glass is available in thicknesses of between 6 and 19 mm, and in pane sizes up to 3,650 mm by 2,140 mm. Although this is smaller than the largest sizes available from rival systems, which can reach 4,000 mm by 2,400 mm, Saint-Gobain is developing its manufacturing process to produce a larger pane. With larger panes, architects can design less cluttered facades needing fewer supports. Pilkington Architectural spokesman Jimmy McCann says that although Pilkington“s fixed-bolt Planar structural glazing system means greater stress on the glass than with the Saint-Gobain knuckle system, the Pilkington product is engineered to take the stress. He adds that Planar, which costs UK 550-650 per sq. m. installed, has a simpler fitting and is easier to install. The first building in Britain to be fitted with Spider Glass is the recently completed phase one of information service Oracle“s UK 13 million headquarters in Reading. Designed by Scott Brownrigg and Turner, the four-storey building features 85 sq. m. of structural glazing on its eastern elevation. Project architect Barry Ratcliffe says he chose Spider Glass because of its detailing after seeing the system on the Will Alsop-designed regional government building in Marseilles, France. The system will also be used at British Airways“ Combined Business Centre at Prospect Park near Heathrow Airport, in the UK. Furthermore, Saint-Gobain“s Cool-Lite KN155 glass has been used for the flush cladding for the GMW Patnership“s UK 65 million refurbishment of its London office. The Cool-Lite glass forms part of the 11,000 sq. m. of floor-to-ceiling double glazing. The low emission, solar control glass reduces solar heat transmission levels by 62%.