Analytical and Numerical Analyses for Modal Responses of Insulating Glass Units

Abstract

Insulating glass units (IGUs) are structures composed of glass plates entrapping a gas and sealed by perimeter spacers, for thermal and acoustic insulation. Most research reported in the literature has treated this type of composite structure without considering the real influence of the internal gas, which can undergo density variations as a result of climatic actions, as temperature changes. In this work, accurate analytical and numerical analyses have been conducted to quantify the modal behavior of IGUs as a function of the glass thickness, cavity thickness, glass size, gas density, and gas type (air, argon, krypton). Some case studies and example of applications are presented. For a temperature range of ± 20.0°C, the variation in gas density is ± 7.0%; this variation affects the frequency response of IGUs considerably. Results of modal analyses show that the gas presence can produce a system frequency of about 5.0 more than the fundamental frequency of the glass. More significant effects have been noted for higher-vibration modes. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no modern studies on this issue.