A layer-wise peridynamic beam theory for laminated glass structures

Laminated glass beams and plates are commonly analyzed using layer-wise theories within classical continuum mechanics. To address both intact and damaged glass layers within a unified framework, this study develops governing equations and a solution procedure for multi-layer laminated beams using a novel peridynamic layer-wise theory (PD LWT). The formulation incorporates long-range force and moment interactions within individual layers and across interfaces, while enforcing local kinematic compatibility between adjacent layers. For smooth laminated glass beams, the proposed PD LWT shows close agreement with published results based on classical layer-wise beam theory, accurately capturing structural behavior between the layered and monolithic limits. For beams containing pre-existing cracks in glass layers, the analysis demonstrates a strong sensitivity of crack opening displacement to the peridynamic horizon size, reflecting the intrinsic nonlocality of the peridynamic crack model. Furthermore, the maximum interlayer shear force near a cracked glass layer is found to be inversely proportional to the horizon size, highlighting the role of nonlocal interactions in interlayer load transfer. Although laminated glass is often idealized as a three-layer system, the proposed formulation is applicable to general multi-layer beam configurations. Overall, the PD LWT provides a computationally efficient alternative to fully three-dimensional peridynamic models.