Question

I have a 148x98cm walk-in shower with glass along the length. The glass is only used to retain drips, so it's not very solid. It is embedded in a rail screwed to the wall and a reinforcement for the width is attached to the upper corner opposite the wall.If I put in an inflatable bathtub measuring 150x100x50cm (outside dimensions), will the glass hold once the bathtub is full? Or will the forces acting on the inner walls of the tub be fully reflected on the glass because of the missing 2cm and break everything?

Answer 1

Introducing an inflatable bathtub larger than the shower space is not recommended, as the glass is not solid enough to withstand the pressure from a full tub, risking damage or breakage.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering introducing an inflatable bathtub into a walk-in shower with a glass divider, it's essential to evaluate the physical forces at play to ensure safety and prevent damage. The glass used in shower enclosures is generally designed to handle the impact of water droplets and occasional physical contact, rather than withstand the significant outward force from a filled bathtub pressing against it. Inflatable bathtubs expand when filled with water, and if the outer dimensions of the tub are larger than the enclosure space, there is a risk of the glass being pushed beyond its designed capacity.

For your situation, an inflatable bathtub with dimensions of 150x100x50 cm may push against the glass when filled, especially since the size of the tub exceeds the 148x98 cm shower area. Taking into account that the glass is not very solid and is meant to retain drips, not to support substantial forces, it is likely that the forces from a full tub could potentially apply stress to the glass, risking damage or breakage. Just as a stainless steel armature is used to provide the necessary support and shape to large structures, adequate support is also needed to retain the forces of a filled bathtub.

It's always best to ensure a margin for error when it comes to the dimensions and capacity of the enclosure against the size of any object being inserted, especially when significant volumes of water are involved, as water is heavy—weighing approximately 1 kilogram per liter. The pressure applied by the bathtub will mostly depend on the volume of water and the flexibility of the tub itself. Since the inflatable bathtub dimensions give little to no clearance, this would likely put undue pressure on the glass. Therefore, it would be advisable to either choose a smaller bathtub that fits comfortably within the enclosure without exerting pressure on the glass or reinforce the glass to withstand the potential pressure of a filled bathtub.