EXPERIMENTAL REPORT ON GLASS PANELS AGAINST STATIC AND REPEATED IN-PLANE COMPRESSION LOADING

Abstract

Primary load-bearing members used in glass structures, such as columns consisting of glass panels, are frequently subjected to in-plane loading. Its allowable stress for safety design appears to be a significant subject. By analyzing the results of static (without repeated loading) and cycling compression loading tests, the authors explore the mechanical features and failure mechanism of the tempered glass panels subjective to in-plane compression loading, including its ultimate stress and buckling load. In addition, a statistical method based on the experimental results is adopted to evaluate the allowable compressive stress. The experimental results show that the ultimate loads of specimens with high slenderness ratios satisfy Euler's critical load formula. In contrast, the ultimate loads of specimens with low thickness ratios distribute in a certain variance range. For the cycling loading test, after 30 times of repeated loading with maximum stress equivalent to 2/3 of the ultimate static stress, the average strength is almost the same or bigger than that of static loading tests. No fatigue fracture due to repeated loading was found for the tempered glass panels. Consequently, the allowable stress for in-plane compressive loading can be formulated based on Euler's critical load formula for a glass panel with a bigger slenderness ratio. The formulation for the allowable compressive stress of a glass panel with a smaller slenderness ratio is promoted using statistical analysis with a 95 percent confidence level for the safety design.