GLASS
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
ENGINEER SAYED NOSHAD ALI
Introduction
Glass is a hard substance which may be transparent or
translucent and brittle in nature.
It is manufactured by fusion process. In this process sand is
fused with lime, soda and some other admixtures and then
cooled rapidly.
Glass is used in construction purpose and architectural
purpose in engineering.
Raw materials to making
glass
Silica sand
Soda ash
Lime stone
Dolomite
Feldspathic materials
Lead oxide
Boric acid
Crushed glass
Types of glass
The types of glass used in construction are:
Float glass
Shatterproof glass
Laminated glass
Extra clean glass
Chromatic glass
Tinted glass
Toughened glass
Float glass
Float glass is made of sodium silicate and calcium silicate so,
it is also called as soda lime glass. It is clear and flat so, it
causes glare. These glasses are available from 2mm to 20mm
thickness ranges.
Shatterproof glass
Shatterproof glass is used for windows, skylights, floors etc.
Some type of plastic polyvinyl butyral is added in its making
process. So, it cannot form sharp edged pieces when it breaks.
Laminated glass
Laminated glass is the combination of layers of normal glass.
So, it has more weight than normal glass. It has more
thickness and is UV proof and soundproof. These are used for
aquariums, bridges etc.
Extra clean glass
Extra clean glass has two special properties, photocatalytic
and hydrophilic. Because of these properties, it acts as stain
proof and gives beautiful appearance. Maintenance is also
easy.
Chromatic glass
Chromatic glass is used in ICU’s, meeting rooms etc. it can
control the transparent efficiency of glass and protects the
interior from daylight.
Tinted glass
Tinted glass is nothing but colored glass. A color producing
ingredients is mixed to the normal glass mix to produce
colored glass which does not affect other properties of glass
Toughened glass
Toughened glass is strong glass which has low visibility. It is
available in all thicknesses and when it is broken it forms
small granular chunks which are dangerous. This is also
called as tempered glass.
Properties of glass
Following are the properties of glass which have made the
glass popular and useful.
(1) It absorbs, refracts or transmits light.
(2) It has no definite crystalline structure.
(3) It has no sharp melting point.
(4) It is affected by alkalies.
(5) It is an excellent electrical insulator at elevated
temperatures due to the fact that glass can be considered as
an ionic liquid.
(6) It is available in beautiful colours.
Properties of glass
(8) It is capable of being worked n many ways. It can be
blown, drawn or pressed. But it is strange to note that it is
difficult to cast in large pieces.
(9) It is extremely brittle.
(10) It is not usually affected by air or water.
(11) It is possible to intentionally alter some of its properties
such as fusibility, hardness, refractive power, etc. to suit
different purposes.
