Fundamentals of Construction of a Glass Block Wall in the Masonry System

Glass block walls may not be allowed to assume any forces from the masonry. This is why surrounding expansion joints must always be provided. The lower edge strip is movable on a slide bearing made of unsanded bituminous felt. When making installations in U-shaped profiles, make sure the U-shaped profile is provided with sliding joint made of oil paper or unsanded bituminous felt. Lateral anchors in the wall must be formed as sliding anchors. All metal parts should be made of stainless or galvanized steel. The reinforcement of a glass block wall must be carried out in accordance with the stress analysis. The exterior mortar cover facing the moisture must be put up according to the table on "Standards + Recommendations". The interior mortar cover should be at least 15 mm thick. The mortar should be protected to keep it from drying out too fast. After it has dried out, the joints and edging strips should be given a waterproof seal to protect it from rain on the weather side. A permanent elastic sealing (silicone) must be provided at all connections to masonry or windowsills to prevent the penetration of moisture. When U-shaped profiles are installed, the joint between the profile and the edging or flashing strip must also be well sealed. When surrounding U-profiles are used, make sure the water will be able to run off unimpeded at the lower edge strip.

1.Bolting 2. Aluminium U-Shaped-Profile 3.Permanent Elastic Sealing 4. Expansion Joint 5. Edging Strip 6. Edging Strip Reinforcement 7. Horizontal Reinforcement 8. Mortar Joint 9. Vertical Reinforcement 10.Glass Block 11. Masonry 12. Slide Bearing, Bituminous Felt 13. Windowsill

1.Sliding Socket 2.Sliding Anchor 3.Permanent Elastic Seal 4. Expansion Joint 5. Edging Strip 6. Edging Strip Reinforcement 7. Horizontal Reinforcement 8. Mortar Joint 9. Vertical Reinforcement 10.Glass Block 11. Masonry 12. Slide Bearing, Bituminous cardboard 13. Windowsill g

Wall or Ceiling Connection with U-Shaped Profile	Wall or Ceiling Connection without U-Shaped Profile
Wall or Ceiling Connection in Masonry Wall Slot	Series of Elements with U-Shaped Profile
	Series of Elements without U-Shaped Profile

Floor Connection with and without U-Shaped Profile	Floor Connection with and without U-Shaped Profile with Windowsill

The standard reinforcement on both installation alternatives: - 90° bond of two parts, - bond of one part with optional angle may not go beyond the corner. The corner reinforcement is always placed at the pressure (interior) side, and extends over the width of two blocks adjoining the expansion joint.

	Vertical expansion joints must be provided at the maximum panel width, or at least every 6 meters, on straight glass block walls or walls with a single curve. Multiple-curved walls require expansion joints at the turning-point of the curves. The minimum interior joint width is 8 mm. Joints 1 cm. wide may not be reinforced.

Section A-A

Section B-B	Assemblies, such as doors, windows, vents, etc. built into glass block walls must be dimensioned in accordance with the structural module in the glass block wall. Surrounding bands should be adaptables to the installed profiles. Doors with a key-lock mechanism are recommended for installation in glass block walls.