Improved post-breakage behavior of laminated glass due to embedded reinforcement

Steffen Feirabend, Werner Sobek

The brittleness of glass calls for innovative solutions which improve the post-breakage behavior of structural glass elements. Today’s demand for high structural performance, has led to a frequent use of fully tempered glass, which is characterized by a high tensile strength. However, fully tempered laminated glass has almost no residual strength. This is due to break-up into small fragments and the low stiffness and strength of the interlayer currently used. High residual strength may be achieved by establishing the following interlayer performances: high tensile strength, high extensional stiffness, high elongation at rupture and good adhesion.
The properties of the synthetic interlayer materials (e.g. polyvinylbutiral - PVB, SentryGlas Plus - SGP) depend on time and temperature. Improved residual strength is achieved by embedding reinforcement in the synthetic interlayer material. The reinforcement - stainless steel-wire meshes, thin perforated metal sheets and fabrics of high-strength fibres - is integrated in the interlayer. This combines the high tensile and high extensional stiffness of the reinforcement with the high degree of adhesion of the synthetic interlayer material.
The post-breakage behavior of laminated glass has been investigated at the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design, considering the temperature of the laminate, the type of interlayer used and the influence of the embedded reinforcement. In four-point-bending tests, the residual strength of pre-damaged fully tempered laminated glass has been determined.
Besides its structural performance the reinforcement acts also like a pattern on a building envelope as well as a sunscreen and offers new opportunities in glass architecture.

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The Authors

	Mr. Steffen Feirabend Dipl.- Ing. Werner Sobek Ingenieure International GmbH & Co. KG Read more
	Mr. Werner Sobek Professor, Doctor Werner Sobek Ingenieure Werner Sobek is one of the leading experts in the use of glass in modern architecture. His engineering consultancy has realised projects such as the Sony Center Berlin, the New Bangkok International A... Read more