Dow Corning Seals Victory At Old Trafford

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Jan 17, 2003

Silicone sealant challenge of new glazed main entrance to Manchester United's Old Trafford ground.

In keeping with its standing as the world's biggest football club, the new structurally glazed main entrance to Manchester United's Old Trafford ground presented some special challenges to silicone sealant specialists Dow Corning.

The 800m2 of structural glazing in the spectacular fifteen metre high wall provides a dramatic entrance to the Theatre of Dreams.

It features the largest glass panels ever constructed in the UK and required the Dow Corning technical team to work closely with structural glazing systems company SCHUCO to ensure that the original vision of Manchester United and its architects AFL could be realised.

The panels were fixed by contractors Norking Aluminium Ltd.

The panels, measuring 4.2m high by 1.8 metres wide each weighed nearly 300kg and had to be craned into place.

They utilised 32mm double glazed units comprising a 10mm green anti-sun outer leaf and a 6mm clear toughened inner leaf.

A special bespoke version of the SCHUCO SK60V stick system with an aerofoil-shaped profile was designed especially for the project in accordance with architect Bob Fuller's original design.

Dow Corning's technical team worked closely with SCHUCO, carrying out complex design calculations to ensure the optimum performance of the system.

The architect's plans for very large glazed units fulfilled three major criteria.

Bob Fuller comments, "Firstly the client's brief called for drama and an imposing fa?ade in keeping with the importance and scale of the stadium as a whole.

The second consideration was practical.

Each panel is storey high allowing maximum light penetration into the deep plan Atrium office space behind." To meet the exacting requirements of European standards for structural glazing (EN 13022), Dow Corning's technical experts specified Dow Corning 993 sealant to bond the glass in the frames.

A two part, neutral curing silicone sealant specifically developed for the structural bonding of glass and metal including coated, enamelled, and reflective glass, 993 has excellent weathering properties and high resistance to ultra-violet radiation, heat, and humidity once cured.

"This new entrance at Old Trafford was a very prestigious project and certainly posed a real challenge.

Dow Corning is without doubt the most trusted sealant company in the world and it certainly lived up to its reputation on this project.

The technical team provided extensive test research, carried out site visits to ensure everything was running smoothly, and gave excellent technical advice," explained a spokesman from SCHUCO's technical team.

Dow Corning is the world's leading silicone sealant manufacturer, with the widest range of architectural, glazing, construction, and fire rated sealants.

Among its many services the company provides expert technical advice, product training, site visits, production of special colours, and substrate testing.