Software for Glass Structural Analysis
GLASGLOBAL®
Expert Software for Your Success
Calculate with precision. Plan with confidence. Verify efficiently.
GLASGLOBAL® – The professional structural analysis software for code-compliant glass design and automated load determination.
DIN 18008
EN 16612
SIA 2057
ÖNORM B 3716
E1300-16
Why GLASGLOBAL®?
Certified Software
Certified and tested by independent testing laboratories
Internationally recognized
Our software results are internationally recognized
Easy to Use
Extremely user-friendly and intuitive to use
Always Up-to-Date
Regular updates and solutions that are always up to date
Partnerships
Strong partners such as the German Flat Glass Association, VFF, and Metall und Mehr
Customer Satisfaction
A Reliable Partner for Long-Term Customer Satisfaction
GLASGLOBAL® - Software for Standard-Compliant Glass Design
This specialized software reliably supports engineers, structural engineers, designers, and contractors in the computational design of glass components in accordance with national and international standards (such as DIN 18008, SIA 2057, or ÖNORM). Thanks to the integrated, automated load calculation for wind and snow, as well as the manufacturer-independent glass database, stresses and deflections can be efficiently determined. The result is structured, independently validated, and verifiable structural analysis reports that serve as a sound basis for approvals.
GLASGLOBAL® - also available as an online version
Use GLASGLOBAL® directly in your browser—no local installation required, and with the flexibility to access it from various workstations. The online version is ideal for getting started quickly, for demonstrations, and for initial calculations. The following versions are available: DIN 18008, EN 16612, AGSB, Switzerland, and ASTM.
Applications & Modules
GLASGLOBAL® supports key areas of glass structural analysis—from traditional glazing to specialized design verifications for point-supported, fall-protection, walkable, and accessible glass structures.
Relevant load assumptions—such as wind, snow, dead weight, live loads, and climatic influences—are taken into account and compared with the permissible stress and deflection values. This allows for the structured, standards-compliant, and verifiable design of various glass structures.
Basic Module
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The regulations governing glass sizing in Germany have undergone continuous development and change in recent years. The previously applicable regulations—TRLV, TRAV, and TRPV—have been replaced by DIN 18008, “Glass in Building Construction—Design and Construction Rules.” Linear glazing systems, which were still defined in the TRLV as of December 2010, are now covered in DIN 18008 Part 2. For example, calculations no longer use a global safety factor but rather partial safety factors. These account for uncertainties in the system, the loads, and the materials.
Point-Supported Glazing
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The Technical Rules for the Design and Construction of Point-Fixed Glazing (TRPV) for vertical and overhead glazing, which were in effect until the end of 2010, have been superseded by DIN 18008 Part 3. The standard distinguishes between two types of fasteners. On the one hand, there are plate brackets, which are attached to the glazing by drilling a hole; on the other hand, there are clamp fasteners, which are attached to the edge of the glass without drilling. You can quickly enter and calculate both types using the Point Bracket module in GLASGLOBAL®.
Fall-resistant glazing
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If glass elements prevent people from falling from a significant height, they are considered fall-protection glazing, which is regulated by DIN 18008, Part 4. Explanation of the individual categories:
Category A: Glazing that must resist horizontal live loads because it lacks a load-bearing parapet rail or a front-mounted mullion at the required height to support horizontal live loads in accordance with DIN EN 1991-1-1-1:2010-12, 6.4 and DIN EN 1991-1-1/NA:2010-12, 6.4, to support horizontal live loads.
Category B: Bottom-fixed glass balustrades whose individual panes are connected by a continuous handrail at the required height.
Category C1: Balustrade infills that do not need to support horizontal live loads at the required height.
Category C2: Glazing located below a load-bearing crossbar positioned at the required height, which does not need to support horizontal live loads at the required height.
Category C3: Glazing with a load-bearing mullion positioned at the required height, which does not need to support horizontal live loads at the required height.
In the program, you can calculate such glazing in accordance with the applicable standard without needing to enter any additional data. The program will also alert you to standard requirements that must be taken into account in your project.
Walk-on glazing
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The additional requirements for walk-on glazing are specified in Part 5 of DIN 18008. Walk-on glazing must consist of laminated safety glass (VSG) with at least three panes. With GLASGLOBAL® Begehbar, both symmetrical and asymmetrical laminated safety glass units can be certified as walk-on glazing.
Walk-on Glazing
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In accordance with DIN 18008-6, the “Walk-on” add-on has been implemented in GLASGLOBAL®. DIN 18008-6 distinguishes between the following types of glazing:
Accessible glazing
Glazing that can be walked on for maintenance purposes (e.g., cleaning).
Fall-through-resistant glazing
Non-accessible glazing located near areas that can be accessed for maintenance work.
Product-Dependent Shear Modulus
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The “Product-Dependent Shear Modulus” add-on is available in the GLASGLOBAL® expert software for the structural analysis of glazing systems in accordance with DIN 18008. In GLASGLOBAL®, the shear modulus for laminated glass (e.g., Trosifol®, SentryGlas®) can be taken into account depending on the load type.
Wind and Snow Load
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When you enter the ZIP code, the wind and snow load zones are automatically determined in accordance with EN 1991-1-3 and EN 1991-1-4, and all required values are entered.
Size Chart
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See at a glance which dimensions would be suitable for your glazing and what their utilization rate is.
GLASGLOBAL® PRODUCT FAMILY
SIA 2057
The Swiss Standard for Glass in Building Construction and Civil Engineering
Market: Switzerland
Advantages of Other Software vs. GLASGLOBAL®
Function
Current Status of Standards
Load Calculation (Wind/Snow)
Climate Loads on Insulated Glass
Independent Validation
Audit-Ready Reporting
Flexibility in Export Projects
Traditional Tools
Significant manual verification effort required when standards change; risk of outdated formulas.
Time-consuming, manual research in atlases and zone maps.
Mathematically extremely complex and virtually impossible to reproduce manually without errors.
No externally verified guarantee of the calculation algorithms.
A cumbersome compilation of tables and screenshots
Often limited to a single set of national regulations.
GLASGLOBAL®
Always updated to comply with the latest standards.
Automation: Automatic location suggestions based on geographic data or ZIP codes.
Fully automated calculation of thermodynamic effects
Certified Computational Accuracy: Independently tested and validated by the University of Munich.
Professional PDF Export: Structured, Easy-to-Read Structural Analysis Certificates
Modular System: Flexible Expansion for International Markets
Partners & Clients
Customer Testimonials
“As a long-standing partner of Sommer Informatik, we have been using the GLASGLOBAL® software since the introduction of DIN 18008. In collaboration with the Technical University of Dresden, we have tested various glass structural analysis programs. GLASGLOBAL® is currently the only software program that meets 100% of the mandatory requirements. In addition, Sommer Informatik was able to meet 52% of the ‘nice-to-have’ criteria.”
Federal Association of Flat Glass e.V.
Contact: Jochen Grönegräs
The Federal Association of Flat Glass (BF) was formed in 1987 through a merger of the Federal Association of German Flat Glass Wholesalers, the Federal Association of German Insulating Glass Manufacturers, and the Trade Association of the Flat Glass Processing Industry. Today, the BF has more than 110 member companies with a total of over 220 operating sites, as well as approximately 50 supporting members.
“Interpane Glasgesellschaft mbH has been a loyal customer of Sommer Informatik GmbH for many years. After just a short training period, we were able to use GLASGLOBAL® to perform calculations quickly and effectively, which is why we highly recommend this tool.”
Interpane Glasgesellschaft mbH
Contact:
Steffen Schäfer – info@interpane.com
Interpane Glas Industrie AG is a German flat glass manufacturer headquartered in Lauenförde.
The company manufactures glazing products at ten locations in Germany, Austria, and France.
“Structural calculations for glass are just an unpopular, secondary necessity in our day-to-day thermal simulations of windows and facades. With GLASGLOBAL®, however, this can be handled quickly and cost-effectively. That’s why we really enjoy working with GLASGLOBAL®.”
Bauwerk Engineering Firm
Contact:
Mr. Deckert – info@waermeschutz.cc
The engineering firm has been in business since 1998 and offers services in the fields of building physics and window technology.
“GLASGLOBAL® comes highly recommended! The tool provides professional guidance through each step of the calculation and leads you to the structural analysis after just a few entries.”
Saint-Gobain Germany
Contact: Jürgen Künsting
Saint-Gobain is a glass manufacturer founded in 1665 that operates worldwide. Saint-Gobain is considered the leading producer of flat glass in Europe and the global market leader in the field of coated glass. Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH has been a client of Sommer Informatik GmbH since 2007.
“We are enthusiastic users of GLASGLOBAL®. Among other things, the ability to check all load cases is excellent.”
UNIGLAS GmbH & Co. KG
Contact: Thomas Fiedler
Founded in 1995, UNIGLAS GmbH & Co. KG is a unique partnership of medium-sized, independent companies specializing in insulated glass manufacturing and glass finishing, with locations now in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials are available in GLASGLOBAL®?
GLASGLOBAL® provides you with a wide range of material data and boundary conditions. The database can be customized to meet your specific needs.
Can GLASGLOBAL® also be used to perform calculations for sunrooms or mullion-transom glazing?
Yes, this is possible with GLASGLOBAL®.
Are the printouts from GLASGLOBAL® verifiable?
The “expert printouts” for the GZT and the GZG, together with the “Verification” results printout, are verifiable.
What criteria are used for calculations in GLASGLOBAL®?
GLASGLOBAL® is software for the structural analysis of single-pane and insulated glass units. Based on DIN 18008 and the concept of partial safety factors, the software determines the risk of breakage and the deflection of glazing under loads from wind, snow, climate fluctuations, differences in elevation, and traffic loads. Optionally, the membrane stress effect can be taken into account for panes supported on all sides.
How are load assumptions for Switzerland handled?
Loads are entered into GLASGLOBAL according to SIA standards or manually. The “GLASGLOBAL® Snow Load Module Switzerland” add-on is required for this. If you do not yet have the “GLASGLOBAL® Snow Load Module Switzerland” add-on, please contact vertrieb@sommer-informatik.de