Abstract
In this study, a unified design approach is assessed and proposed for the shear buckling verification of structural glass walls supported by non-ideal restraints. Based on the current trends of practice in buildings, the effect of (i) adhesive joints, (ii) metal frames with interposed adhesive joints or (iii) point mechanical connectors on the actual shear buckling behavior of the examined glass shear walls is properly investigated. The theoretical buckling resistance of the selected panels is first assessed by means of Finite-Element (FE) simulations, in the form of fundamental buckling shapes and Euler’s critical loads. Analytical fitting curves of general applicability are proposed, so that the classical formulations derived from shear buckling theories could be used for a rational estimation of the Euler’s critical loads, based on the restraints geometrical and mechanical features. As shown, the examined restraints have a fundamental role in the so predicted values and the assumption of ideal restraint configurations would unavoidably lead to unsafe, marked overestimations. Subsequently, the actual shear buckling resistance is also assessed, e.g., by taking into account the effects of possible initial geometrical imperfections, damage in glass or failure mechanisms in the restraints. Due to the implementation of accurate but computationally efficient FE models able to reproduce the desired mechanical effect of restraints, as well as any possible local damage in them, a rather close agreement is found with a standardized design buckling approach already in use for ideally simply supported glass shear walls only.
Highlights
In recent years, the use in practice of glass panels and walls is a common trend in modern buildings, especially in façades
In the recent years, the concept of ‘structural glass walls’ able to ensure a certain level of strength and stiffening contribution to entire buildings has been developed, leading to the implementation in structural systems of glass panels able to carry on compressive, bending and shear forces due to the external loads
The shear buckling response and actual resistance of structural glass walls with non-ideal restraints has been critically assessed by means of extended Finite-Element (FE) numerical investigations and analytical methods derived from classical theory
Summary
The use in practice of glass panels and walls is a common trend in modern buildings, especially in façades. In the recent years, the concept of ‘structural glass walls’ able to ensure a certain level of strength and stiffening contribution to entire buildings has been developed, leading to the implementation in structural systems of glass panels able to carry on compressive, bending and shear forces due to the external loads (e.g., uniform pressures acting orthogonally to the plane of glass, in-plane compressive loads deriving from the adjacent structural background, or in-plane shear loads due to pressures acting along a direction parallel to the same glass panels’ surface) As a result, their design and calculation strictly depends on a complex structural interaction between the glass panels themselves and their connections to the substructures, namely consisting in glued bonded connections, adhesive joints, special metal fasteners, steel or aluminum frames, as well as timber framing systems. Its actual limitation is represented by the assumption of ideal restraint conditions only (e.g., fully rigid, continuous supports along the four edges)
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