Finite Element Models and Numerical Analysis of a Structural Glass Beam Reinforced with Embedded Carbon Fibre Rod

Abstract

Due to the its brittleness and unpredictable failure behaviour, the glass is considered a structurally unsafe material. The poor tensile strength and the occurrence of brittle failures prevent the possible use of structural glass elements (i.e. floors, beams and columns). The present study focuses on the numerical analysis of glass beams reinforced with composite material (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) and the numerical analysis of the behaviour of glass plates after being punched. In particular, the method of reinforcement analysed consists in embedding the Carbon FRP-rod in the interlayer of laminated structural glass beams with the aim to increase their failure strength, but also the post-failure strength and ductility. A numerical analysis on different specimens has been carried out to evaluate the effect of the reinforcement. The response of the reinforced and un-reinforced beams has been compared and the results have been discussed. The results provide an estimation of the expected performance in order to propose a reinforcement method for glass beams using FRP composites. This study includes the numerical analysis on laminated glass plates with wide holes at both ends, the latter made for technological reasons to connect the glass beam to the structure. The obtained results are compared with integer specimens.