Finite Element analysis of post-tensioned SG-laminated glass beams with adhesively bonded steel tendons

Taking advantage of past full-scale experimental test results, the bending performance of laminated glass beams with post-tensioned, adhesively bonded steel tendons is explored via refined Finite-Element (FE) models. As far as the primary advantage of the post-tensioned glass beam concept is to provide an initial state of compressive stresses in glass, a marked enhancement of the expected structural performance is expected (i.e. increase of the initial fracture load and redundancy), compared to typically brittle, unreinforced laminated glass beams. Several key aspects can affect the overall performance of such beam typology, first of all the adhesive joint providing the structural interaction between the glass beam and the steel tendon, as well as the geometrical and mechanical properties of each beam component, in relation to the amount of initial post-tensioning force. Based on a first validation of a reference full 3D FE model towards the available past full-scale experimental test results, an extended parametric study is presented in this paper, giving evidence to the effects of several mechanical and geometrical parameters (i.e. steel tendon section, level of the applied post-tensioning force, adhesive joint type and size, etc.) in the bending performance of post-tensioned laminated glass beams at room temperature under quasi-static load.