Experimental studies on metal-glass point connections with various configurations of mesh reinforcement

The paper deals with the phenomenon of post-breakage capacity in point-fixed laminated glass elements. It reports the results of an ongoing research project aimed at developing a reinforced point-fixed laminated glass element with locally embedded steel mesh. In total, 36 specimens (300 x 300 mm2º varying in the thickness of component panes (8, 10 and 12 mm) and the diameter of the reinforcing inserts (75, 110 and 150 mm) were tested. The specimens comprised two toughened glass panes, an EVA Clear interlayer and a woven steel mesh consisting of wires (0.35 mm in diameter) at a spacing of 1 x 1 mm2. The tests were carried out in a spatial testing machine allowing the point connector to be loaded at an angle of 45 degrees. This way of loading the fastener corresponds to its loading condition in an actual application (e.g. a glass canopy with diagonal rods). All samples presented similar behaviour during testing. In the first phase, the relationship between the load and the displacement refers to the elastic response of the sample to the load. Following the glass failure, there is a sudden drop in the force due to the loss of tensile stiffness of fractured glass. After this stage, progressive degradation of the samples occurs due to further loading. In this phase, the force is initially increasing and stabilising – this point is considered an ultimate failure (in the post-breakage phase), and the experiment is terminated. For all test series, the reinforcement increases the post-breakage capacity.