All-round benefits Increased torsional stiffness Studies and tests carried out on direct-glazed vehicles show that the glass areas effectively function as stress panels within the overall structure. In this way they contribute significantly to the structural rigidity of the vehicle, allowing designers to achieve useful savings in materials and weight. Improved ride comfort Direct glazing has a positive impact on the ride comfort for the driver and passengers alike. Elastic adhesives reduce the natural or inherent frequencies, and hence the vibrations, in commercial vehicle bodyshells. Similarly, the use of elastic-bonded side windows in trains produces a dramatic reduction in vibrations and track noise. More styling freedom Direct-glazed vehicles open up all kinds of new styling possibilities for the designer. The use of elastic adhesives makes it possible to integrate dramatically curved areas of glass into the overall body shape to create a modern sculpted look that is also aerodynamically efficient. |