Design of Architectural Glazing to Resist Earthquakes

A state of the practice summary is presented with regard to the design of architectural glazing to resist earthquakes. Highlighted are new model building code provisions that have been adopted recently by a number of code bodies, including the 2003 International Building Code and the 2002 NFPA 5000 Building Code. These model building codes reference seismic design provisions for architectural glazing in ASCE 7-02 and industry-accepted seismic test methods for architectural glazing developed and published by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association. Designers, specifiers, building owners, and glazing system manufacturers need to be aware of these significant changes in the way architectural glazing components are to be designed and tested for earthquake resistance.