Glass constructions for infrastructure – new subway stations in Munich

This paper gives an overview about the application of architectural glass as load carrying element in structural engineering and its possible applications for infrastructure buildings like anti drop devices (railings), glazing of elevators and overhead glazing (eg. for bicycle-stations). The required actions to get a safe construction (static analysis, remaining load carrying capacity, necessary testing in laboratory) are shown, especially related to the demands of infrastructure buildings. For new subway connections in Munich many stations were built using glass for several applications. Examples the author worked on are presented, e.g. an accessible glazing with requirements for fire resistance, a large point fixed overhead glazing with access for service work and anti drop device.