Fatemeh Pariafsai - Young Researchers and Elite Club, Yadegar-e-Imam Khomeini (RAH) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

When the visual presence of materials decreases, the maximal transparency creates astounding beauty. In order to enhance transparency, clearer and lighter structures should be used. Although glass is extremely noteworthy as a transparent load bearing material, the structural use of glass is still unfamiliar to architects. Since the advancement in architecture requires knowledge about the path of developments, this study was conducted in order to discern the potential of improvement in glass structures as a result of scientific and technological advances. Through analysis of existing challenges and opportunities, this study aims to investigate the possibility of constructing completely transparent buildings in the near future. The findings indicate that improvements in the field of materials, selection of appropriate forms, the advent of innovative techniques, plus fine-tuning the existing technologies can improve structural efficiency, safety, durability, and transparency of glass buildings, so that the imagination of modern architecture can be realized.

glass beam, glass column, glass shell, glass structure