Reinforced glass

Whittleston, GS

Abstract

Annealed glass has the propensity to fast fracture. So, the need for redundancy in
structural glass elements is a fundamental necessity. Currently, redundancy is
provided by laminated glass, whereby, if one glass pane fails, then the remaining
intact pane(s) sustain the loads. However, for the in-service (unbroken state)
condition the element is at least twice as thick as necessary. This leads to increased
weight and increased cost.
The presented work develops and investigates a cheaper, lighter alternative redundant
system using a GFRP sheet bonded to one annealed glass pane. Consequently, a new
material, Reinforced Glass, is created.
For the in-service (unbroken state) condition it is shown that, under load, the
Reinforced Glass has a similar structural response to ordinary annealed glass. A
review of annealed structural glass design methods is presented - facilitating design
for the unbroken state. Design recommendations are given.
For the broken state an analytical, predictive model was developed, which was
validated through experimental testing. The model draws similarities to Reinforced
Concrete, whereby a compression block is generated in the broken glass - which is
balanced by the GFRP tension reinforcement. Unique predictive equations are
produced for application in design for the broken state. The model is validated for
various thicknesses of glass.

Citation

Whittleston, G. Reinforced glass. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2011