Third Party Verification Claim

Attachment 3: Finite Element Modelling
A finite-element-model (FEM) was created to model the Hercules Glass Panel. The model measures 60”
x 39” x 13mm (0.51”) thick, and includes 960 elements sized approximately 1.5” square x 13mm (0.51”)
thick. The model is supported at three points, at the panel “spigots. The spigots are approximately 4” tall
x 3” wide. See Figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Panel Configuration
The highest stresses caused by a lateral wind load are experienced at the elements around the spigots.
Figure 2 shows the element numbers of the panel and a close-up of the elements around the spigots.
Note that the elements supported directly by the spigots are blanked out because they are supported by
the spigots and are not stressed.
Left spigot
Middle spigot
Right spigot
Element 899
919
939
897
917
937
819
839
859
820
840
860
823
842
863
824
844
864
902
922
942
904
924
944