SHAPE OPTIMIZATION OF GLASS FACADE SINGLE-ARMED SPIDER SUPPORT USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD based SOFTWARE

In this paper the shape optimization of mechanical one-armed spider connector utilized in realization of glass facades in view of obtained Misses stress and displacement result values was discussed. Following elements in considered connector were assumed as varying: shape and dimensions of arm cross section and arm curvature direction. According to above, three different shapes of cross section were assumed: C-shape, Tshape and cross section formed from two parallel welded sheet metals on the offset from the longitudinal symmetry axis. In the performed analysis two different types of loading were investigated – maximum value of pressure and wind suction transferred via the glass element on the connector. Moreover, it was assumed that the glass plate had dimensions of 1.50 x 1.50 m. Whole analysis was performed with the use of finite element method based software.