Embedded adhesive connection for laminated glass plates

Abstract The structural behavior of a new connection design, the embedded adhesive connection, used for laminated glass plates is investigated. The connection consists of an aluminum plate encapsulated in-between two adjacent triple layered laminated glass plates. Fastening between glass and aluminum is ensured using a structural adhesive. At first, the elastic and viscoelastic material properties of the adhesive are identified where the influence of load-rate and failure properties are also examined. Through an inverse analysis using the finite element method, the experimental observations are replicated to identify a material model of the adhesive. The material model consists of an elastic and linear viscoelastic formulation suitable for a numerical implementation of the material. Based on two relevant load cases, out-of-plane bending and in-plane shear, the connection performance is investigated both for short and long-term durations. Using the finite element method, the connection experiments are replicated, which enables a parametric variation of the connection geometry. The numerical tool developed can be used to evaluate the connection behavior for different configurations and further usage in a design situation. The embedded connection shows promising potential as a future fastening system for load-carrying laminated glass plates.