Glass Wall Design & Engineering

Architectural glass walls can range from conventional framed assemblies to highly transparent structural systems with minimal visible support.

JEI provides engineering and design assistance for:

• Structural glass walls

• Frameless glass walls

• Point-supported glass walls

• Glass fin walls

• Laminated glass walls

• Cable-supported glass systems

• Monumental glass walls

• Large-format glass façades

• Interior structural glass partitions

• Exterior architectural glass systems

The appropriate design depends on glass size, loads, support conditions, connection details and the amount of structural movement the glazing system must accommodate.

JEI helps glazing contractors and design teams evaluate these conditions early so the final system can be engineered around both performance requirements and architectural goals.

Point-Supported Glass Engineering

Point-supported glazing creates transparency by transferring loads through discrete fittings rather than continuous perimeter framing.

These systems require careful analysis because stresses can become concentrated around connection locations.

JEI Structural provides engineering for point-supported glass applications including:

• Point-supported glass walls

• Structural glass façades

• Glass windscreens

• Glass screens

• Entrance glazing

• Feature walls

• Canopies

• Specialty architectural glass assemblies

Engineering considerations may include glass thickness, laminate configuration, hole locations, fitting geometry, edge distances, support flexibility, connection forces and load transfer into the supporting structure.

Glass Fin Wall Engineering

Glass fins can provide structural support while maintaining the transparency desired in large architectural glass façades.

JEI provides engineering for glass fin walls and fin-supported glazing systems, evaluating both the glass infill and the structural glass fins.

Design considerations may include:

• Glass fin dimensions

• Laminate configuration

• Fin spacing

• Splice locations

• Connections

• Glass-to-fin attachments

• Wind loads

• Deflection

• Support conditions

• Building movement

• Load transfer into adjacent structure

Glass fin systems frequently require close coordination between the engineer, glazing contractor, glass fabricator and architect.

JEI helps connect those disciplines.

Laminated Structural Glass Engineering

Laminated glass is frequently used where post-breakage behavior, structural redundancy or specialized performance is required.

JEI evaluates laminated structural glass based on the specific application and project conditions.

Applications may include:

• Structural glass walls

• Point-supported glazing

• Glass railings

• Glass floors

• Canopies

• Skylights

• Windscreens

• Feature glazing

• Specialty façade systems

Engineering may consider glass ply thicknesses, interlayer behavior, support conditions, loading, deflection and post-breakage performance.

Because laminated glass behavior can vary significantly based on configuration and environmental conditions, structural analysis should be specific to the actual system being designed.

Oversized & Large-Format Structural Glass

Modern fabrication capabilities allow architects to use increasingly large glass panels.

As glass size increases, structural demands can also increase.

JEI provides engineering support for oversized and large-format architectural glass, evaluating:

• Panel dimensions

• Glass thickness

• Laminate construction

• Support spacing

• Deflection

• Wind pressure

• Connection forces

• Edge support

• Point-support conditions

• Installation requirements

• Structural movement

Large-format glass often requires collaboration among the architect, glazing contractor, engineer, glass manufacturer and fabricator.

JEI provides the structural engineering expertise needed to help coordinate those requirements.

Structural Glass Connections & Attachments

A structural glass system is only as effective as the connections transferring loads from the glass into the supporting structure.

JEI evaluates and designs structural glass connections including:

• Point-supported fittings

• Glass-to-steel connections

• Glass-to-aluminum connections

• Custom brackets

• Anchors

• Base connections

• Structural channels

• Glass fin attachments

• Supporting steel

• Custom aluminum framing

• Specialty connection assemblies

The objective is to establish a complete and understandable structural load path from the glass through the connections and into the building structure.

Building Movement & Structural Glass

Building movement is an important consideration in façade and structural glazing design.

The primary structure may deflect or move independently of the glazing system because of:

• Live loads

• Wind loads

• Thermal expansion and contraction

• Floor deflection

• Interstory drift

• Seismic movement

• Construction tolerances

• Long-term structural movement

Structural glass systems must be detailed so expected building movement does not unintentionally transfer excessive forces into the glass.

JEI works with project teams to evaluate movement requirements and coordinate glazing-system tolerances with the supporting structure.

Structural Glass & Curtain Wall Coordination

Structural glass features frequently connect to or transition into conventional curtain wall and storefront systems.

These interfaces require coordination between:

• Structural glass

• Curtain wall framing

• Storefront systems

• Aluminum

• Structural steel

• Anchors

• Sealants

• Adjacent façade systems

• Primary building structure

JEI's experience across both structural glass and conventional glazing systems helps identify potential coordination issues before they become fabrication or field problems.

For complete curtain wall engineering services, visit Curtain Wall Design & Consulting.

Internal Link: Curtain Wall Design & Consulting

Structural Glass Design Assist

Early engineering involvement can be particularly valuable on complex structural glass systems.

During design development, JEI can help architects, glazing contractors and project teams evaluate:

• Preliminary glass sizes

• Glass thicknesses

• Structural concepts

• Support options

• Connection concepts

• Attachment locations

• Movement requirements

• Constructability

• Material implications

• Potential fabrication limitations

Design-assist engineering can help identify structural issues before systems are fully detailed or bid.

This can reduce redesign and help maintain continuity between architectural concept, delegated design, fabrication and installation.

Delegated Design for Structural Glass Systems

Structural glass often falls within delegated-design portions of commercial construction documents.

JEI can provide engineering calculations, connection design, supporting details and Professional Engineer-sealed documents as required by the project.

Our engineers coordinate with glazing contractors, architects, engineers of record and other project participants to help resolve the conditions necessary for submittal and approval.

JEI's combination of engineering and drafting capabilities allows these services to be coordinated under one roof.

Structural Glass Engineering & Shop Drawings

Engineering and drafting are closely connected on specialty glass projects.

JEI Structural provides both structural glass engineering and glazing drafting services, allowing calculations, connections and drawing details to be coordinated within the same organization.

Services may include:

• Structural calculations

• Delegated design engineering

• Glass engineering

• Connection engineering

• Shop drawings

• Fabrication drawings

• Installation details

• BIM coordination

• Submittal packages

• Design-assist drawings

• Engineering revisions

For dedicated drafting services, visit Glazing Shop Drawing Services.

Internal Link: Glazing Shop Drawing Services

Specialty Structural Glass Applications

JEI's structural glass engineering experience extends beyond conventional glass walls.

Specialty applications include:

• Structural glass walls

• Point-supported glazing

• Glass fins

• Glass railings

• Glass canopies

• Skylights

• Glass floors

• Windscreens

• Structural glass screens

• Large-format glazing

• Aquarium and zoo glazing

• Monumental entrances

• Specialty façade glazing

For unusual or custom glazing systems, visit Specialty Glazing Design Services.

Internal Link: Specialty Glazing Design Services

For ornamental, artistic and feature-glass applications, visit Ornamental, Decorative & Monumental Glass Engineering.

Internal Link: Ornamental, Decorative & Monumental Glass Engineering

Structural Glass as Part of the Building Envelope

Structural glass rarely functions independently of the surrounding building envelope.

Glass systems may interface with curtain wall, storefront, architectural metals, panels, cladding, louvers, sunshades, canopies or other façade components.

JEI Structural's broader façade experience allows our engineers to evaluate these systems as interconnected elements rather than isolated components.

This perspective is particularly important where structural movement, waterproofing interfaces, attachment conditions and multiple delegated-design systems meet.

For JEI's broader façade capabilities, visit Building Envelope & Façade Engineering, Consulting & Drafting.

Internal Link: Building Envelope & Façade Engineering, Consulting & Drafting

Who JEI Structural Works With

JEI supports commercial project teams including:

Glazing Contractors

Engineering calculations, delegated design, connection engineering, shop drawings, submittal support and technical coordination.

Architects

Design-assist engineering, structural glass system evaluation, constructability input and specialty façade consulting.

General Contractors

Third-party reviews, coordination support, delegated-design reviews and specialty façade risk evaluation.

Glass & Glazing Manufacturers

Engineering support for custom products, structural systems, attachments and project-specific applications.

Owners & Developers

Independent engineering reviews, specialty façade consulting and risk identification.

Why Choose JEI for Structural Glass Engineering?

Structural glass engineering is a specialized discipline requiring knowledge of glass behavior, glazing systems, connections, façade movement and real-world construction.

JEI Structural focuses specifically on glass, glazing and façade systems.

Our clients benefit from:

• Specialized structural glass expertise

• Glass and glazing industry experience

• Engineering & drafting under one roof

• Licensed Professional Engineers across most of the United States

• Experience with commercial projects nationwide

• Practical constructability knowledge

• Coordination with glazing contractors and architects

• Connection and attachment expertise

• Delegated-design experience

• Responsive project support

JEI helps bridge the gap between architectural vision, structural requirements and practical construction.

Structural Glass Engineering Project Experience

JEI Structural has provided structural glass and specialty glazing engineering for commercial projects ranging from individual architectural glass features to major building-envelope systems.

Our experience includes research facilities, airports, hotels, stadiums, corporate buildings, healthcare facilities, universities, entertainment venues and specialty architectural projects.

Explore JEI Structural Glass Projects

Internal Link: JEI Project Gallery / Structural Glass Project Category

Project pages documenting actual JEI structural glass work provide examples of how specialized engineering is applied to real-world glass and glazing conditions.

Need Structural Glass Engineering?

Whether your project involves a point-supported glass wall, glass fins, oversized glazing, structural laminated glass or an unusual architectural glass system, JEI Structural can help evaluate the concept and develop a practical engineering solution.

Send JEI your architectural drawings, elevations, glazing details or project requirements to begin a project-specific review.

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JEI Structural

Specialty Glass and Facade Consulting, Engineering & Drafting

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