Hybrid steel-glass beams

Abstract

Due to the intensive progress and research on the field of glass structures, possibilities for using glass as a load carrying elements are increasing every day. Different types of hybrid constructions, consisted of glass and another material (timber, concrete, laminated reinforcement etc.), are analyzed or even newly developed focusing on an optimal structural interaction between both materials and in respect to architectural, static-structural and fabrication criteria. Main goal of composite (stiffened) glass structures is to increase the load bearing capacity, stiffness and robustness (safety) in comparison with pure glass structures, which are brittle and always fail suddenly and without previous warning. New, hybrid steel-glass beam consists of steel flanges and glass web bonded together, see Fig. 1. Long glued joint, performed by semi-rigid polymer adhesive is the key element of whole composite structure and therefore special emphasis has to be dedicated to the detailing of the steel-glass interface and choice of the suitable adhesive.Main goal of author's dissertation including experimental research, analytical and numerical work was to develop and investigate the behaviour of hybrid steel-glass beam with semi-rigid polymer adhesive, prove it experimentally by full-scale bending tests and create guidance for safe design, supported by analytical and numerical studies.

Due to the intensive progress and research on the field of glass structures, possibilities for using glass as a load carrying elements are increasing every day. Different types of hybrid constructions, consisted of glass and another material (timber, concrete, laminated reinforcement etc.), are analyzed or even newly developed focusing on an optimal structural interaction between both materials and in respect to architectural, static-structural and fabrication criteria. Main goal of composite (stiffened) glass structures is to increase the load bearing capacity, stiffness and robustness (safety) in comparison with pure glass structures, which are brittle and always fail suddenly and without previous warning. New, hybrid steel-glass beam consists of steel flanges and glass web bonded together, see Fig. 1. Long glued joint, performed by semi-rigid polymer adhesive is the key element of whole composite structure and therefore special emphasis has to be dedicated to the detailing of the steel-glass interface and choice of the suitable adhesive.Main goal of author's dissertation including experimental research, analytical and numerical work was to develop and investigate the behaviour of hybrid steel-glass beam with semi-rigid polymer adhesive, prove it experimentally by full-scale bending tests and create guidance for safe design, supported by analytical and numerical studies.