Load bearing glass walls?

Question

Is it possible to build a load bearing glass wall?

Answer 1

Bearing what sort of load? the vertical load of the floors and occupants of a sky scraper would be a problem, but a gazebo in your garden should be possible.
Of course glass walls do routinely resist wind loads.
Some examples:
http://www.4specs.com/s/08/08-4420.html
http://www.dupont.com/safetyglass/lgn/stories/0905.html

By the way, an explanation of the common misconception that glass windows flow downwards over centuries can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass#Behaviour_of_antique_glass you might find the whole article interesting, it does briefly mention structural use of glass ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass#Glass_in_buildings )

Answer 2

if you can get into the attic and see, the load bearing wall will have braces nailed from its top plate to the roof joists. this means the wall is being used to help support the weight of the roof which in some instances can be very heavy. on a two story you will have to figer out where the lower wall is in relation to what is above it on the second story. and if you have a basement the same thing applies. if you cut through a load bearing wall install a "header" [two 2 by 12's sandwiching a 1\2 in piece of plywood] to keep you integrity in tack. brace under each end with multiple 2 by 4's nailed together.[or 2 by 6's] get some advice, even from Lowe's or home depot, and you will be off and running.

Answer 3

You have two things working against you - glass is brittle, and weak in tension or bending. Perhaps you could develop prestressed structural glass. As far as I know, no one has attempted it yet. Good luck.

Ignore Kerry K, he's repeating a popular misconception. If glass did flow it might be more useful as a structural material.

Answer 4

Possible, yes, but not practical. You would have to have a way to keep the glass from flowing downward over time, which it does do.

Answer 5

tricky matter. browse on yahoo and bing. that will help!