ASTM E2751/E2751M-21 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM E2751/E2751M-21 — Standard Practice for Design and Performance of Supported Laminated Glass Walkways. This practice provides guidance on the design, performance, and safe behavior of load-bearing laminated glass walkways, including glass treads and glass landings, and addresses the characteristics unique to laminated glass assemblies used as pedestrian walking surfaces.

Abstract

This short practice specifies performance and design considerations for supported laminated glass walkway systems intended for pedestrian use. It outlines acceptable design approaches, required post-breakage behavior, allowable glass stresses for various glass types under different load durations, and clarifies what forms of glass walkways are excluded (for example monolithic glass, glass block, insulating glass units, and vehicular traffic applications). The practice references other ASTM and industry test methods and specifications for related properties such as slip resistance and laminated-glass construction.

General information

• Status: Current / Active.
• Publication date: Approved October 1, 2021; published October 2021 (ASTM E2751/E2751M-21).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 81.040.20 (Glass in building).
• Edition / version: E2751/E2751M-21 (2021 edition), revises E2751/E2751M-17a.
• Number of pages: 4 pages.

Scope

This practice covers design and performance elements specific to supported laminated glass walkways, including glass treads and landings intended to carry pedestrian loads. It does not apply to monolithic glass walkways, glass block, insulating glass units, glass tiles bonded to non-glass substrates, or walkways designed for vehicular traffic. The standard provides guidance for using either SI or inch-pound units (treated separately) and directs users to other referenced standards for complementary properties (e.g., slip resistance).

Key topics and requirements

• Design approach for supported laminated glass assemblies used as walkways (load definitions, design loads, and safety considerations).
• Allowable glass stresses by glass type (annealed, heat-strengthened, tempered) and by load duration; guidance on factoring stresses and surface treatment reductions.
• Post-breakage behavior requirements — the system must retain sufficient structural integrity after the breakage of any one glass ply to support design loads or be secured and cordoned off for safety.
• Fabrication and installation directions, including tolerances and system-specific instructions provided by manufacturer or designer.
• Explicit exclusions (monolithic glass, glass block, IGUs, direct-bonded glass tiles, vehicular loads) and requirement to consult referenced standards for slip resistance and other walkway properties.

Typical use and users

Used by architects, structural engineers, façade and glazing designers, glass fabricators, building code officials, and safety/maintenance personnel involved in specifying, designing, reviewing, fabricating, or inspecting pedestrian glass walkway systems (e.g., interior/exterior glass bridges, cantilevered glass walkways, stair treads and landings made from laminated glass).

Related standards

The practice references and is used alongside other ASTM standards and industry test methods such as Practice E1300 (Determining Load Resistance of Glass in Buildings), Specification C1172 (Laminated Architectural Flat Glass), C1048 (Heat-Strengthened and Fully Tempered Flat Glass), C1036 (Flat Glass), terminology standards, and applicable slip-resistance test methods and guidance documents. It supersedes earlier editions (for example E2751/E2751M-17a).

Keywords

laminated glass; glass walkway; glass floor; glass stair treads; glass tread; load-bearing glass; post-breakage behavior; allowable glass stress; design practice; pedestrian walkway.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E2751/E2751M-21 is a short practice that provides design and performance guidance for supported laminated glass walkways—covering glass treads, landings, and similar pedestrian applications using laminated glass.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers performance criteria, allowable glass stresses for common glass types and load durations, installation and fabrication directions from manufacturers, and post-breakage behavior requirements; it excludes monolithic glass walkways, glass block, insulating glass units, directly bonded glass tiles, and vehicular applications.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Architects, structural and façade engineers, glazing system designers, glass manufacturers, fabricators, installers, and building code or safety reviewers involved with pedestrian glass walkway projects.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2021 edition (E2751/E2751M-21) is the current edition and it revises the prior 2017 edition (E2751/E2751M-17a). Check ASTM or your national standards provider for any subsequent amendments or corrigenda.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a standalone practice within ASTM’s building and glass standards portfolio and is developed under ASTM Committee E06. It is commonly used in conjunction with related ASTM glass and test standards (for example Practice E1300 and laminated-glass specifications).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Laminated glass, glass walkway, glass floor, glass treads, post-breakage behavior, allowable glass stress, pedestrian load design.