Structural response of SG-laminated reinforced glass beams; experimental investigations on the effects of glass type, reinforcement percentage and beam size

This paper investigates the effects of glass type (annealed, heat-strengthened and fully tempered), reinforcement percentage (hollow section and full section) and beam size (1.5 and 3.2 m) on the structural response of SG-laminated reinforced glass beams. This is done by means of bending tests on 5 different series of beam specimens. From the results it is concluded that the applied glass type has a significant effect on both the initial failure strength - due to a difference in apparent strength of the glass types - and the post-breakage performance - due to a difference in fracture pattern of the glass types - of the reinforced glass beams. Furthermore, it is concluded that the reinforcement percentage has a significant effect on the structural performance of the reinforced glass beams, as it influences the initial height of the compression zone and the post-breakage strength and stiffness of the beams. Next, as the small and large beams investigated in this research demonstrate largely similar structural behaviour, it is concluded that the structural behaviour is only affected to a minor extent by beam size. Finally, it is concluded that the 3.2 m beams tested in this research provide sufficient lateral stability, even when the glass is extensively cracked. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.