Performance of glass-ionoplast laminates above room temperature

dr. ir.-arch. Jan Belis & prof. dr. ir. Rudy Van Impe & ir.-arch. Dieter Callewaert, Ghent University, Laboratory for Research on Structural Models, Department of Structural Engineering & ir. Jeroen Vander Beken, Ney & Partners nv

Ionoplast interlayers are relatively stiff compared to PVB. They have originally been developed to increase the hurricane resistance of window glazing, but they look promising for structural applications as well. In spite of their structural superiority, ionoplast interlayers have got mechanical properties that are still dependent on temperature and loading time.

Two mechanical problems have been examined at different temperature levels: simple bending about the weak axis and buckling.

An experimental heating installation with infrared beamers has been developed. This equipment was able to heat laminated glass/ionoplast specimens up to 55° C and to keep the temperature of the interlayer constant for about 24 hours. During different heating cycles, glass-ionoplast laminates were subjected to laboratory bending tests and buckling tests. It was shown that temperature gradients were significantly influencing the initial shape imperfections (planeness) of the specimens and that buckling loads were decreased drastically by increased interlayer temperatures. A plateau value for the shear modulus was determined from the results.

Full text article [240 KB]

The Authors

	Dr. Jan Belis dr. ir.-arch./Assistant Professor Ghent University - LMO Jan Belis holds a degree in civil engineering/architecture and a PhD degree in structural engineering from Ghent University, Belgium. Since 2006, he is assistant professor at the same institute. His r... Read more
	Mr. Dieter Callewaert ir.-arch. UGent Dieter Callewaert is a civil engineer-architect. He graduated in 2006 at Ghent University in Belgium. In september 2006 he started as a PhD researcher at the Laboratory for Research on structural Mode... Read more