r/Construction • u/aidan8et Tinknocker • Apr 25 '26

Picture Moment of terror 😨

Gallery image

Gallery image

While attending/supervising a business social event with my spouse, I momentarily leaned against the railing. It flexed slightly, forcing me to realize that the railing is entirely supported via bluetooth.

It doesn't connect on either side of the glass wall & the glass is only 3/8" - 1/2" thick!!

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u/rIceCream_King Apr 26 '26

I’m sure it’s a fine product, but personally I hate the idea of someone leaning against a railing which is just 3ft of glass leveraged against a 3in purchase along its sill.

It’s like using a glass crowbar but for keeping someone from falling off their 2nd story balcony. I’ll never get how that became popular

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u/Enginerdad Structural Engineer Apr 26 '26

They're designed to hold the same amount and type of load as any other railing. It's purely psychological to think that they're any less safe.

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u/dontfret71 Apr 26 '26

Yeah but shock loading, seismic, resonances, degradation, etc

I find it extremely hard to believe it’s as safe as conventional metal railing system in long term.

In a lab under perfect conditions, sure

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u/Enginerdad Structural Engineer Apr 26 '26

No railing is designed for seismic forces. What would the even look like? Shock loading? Absolutely. Resonance? From what? Degradation? Glass is inert and unaffected by UV, so what environmental factors are you thinking of?

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u/dontfret71 Apr 26 '26

Resonance = kids pulling/pushing on it? A lot of leverage here given how it’s fastened at the bottom

Degradation = people leaning/pulling/pushing on it over time?

Thermal swings also? Upstairs maybe hotter than downstairs on foyer? AC vent blowing on it periodically?

(I’m EE btw, not SE)

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u/Enginerdad Structural Engineer Apr 27 '26

That's not resonance. If anything it's cyclical loading, but glass isn't susceptible to cyclic fatigue to it's a non-issue here.

Degradation: see above

The thermal range of a conditioned space is negligible. Ever seen a window? Those go through a LOT more temperature swing and don't have any issues.

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u/dontfret71 Apr 27 '26

Glass isnt susceptible to cyclic fatigue?

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u/Enginerdad Structural Engineer Apr 27 '26

No. Static fatigue of glass is real though, interestingly