Effect of circumferential sealant joints and metal supporting frames on the buckling behavior of glass panels subjected to in-plane shear loads

In this paper, the structural stability of adhesively supported glass panels subjected to in-plane shear walls is assessed by means of extended finite-element (FE) investigations and analytical methods. Based on past research projects, careful consideration is given to glass panels with two-side circumferential linear adhesive connections and supporting metal frames, which are frequently used in practice for facades and building envelopes. In accordance with earlier research contributions, the effects deriving from adhesive connections and supporting frames of various stiffnesses are highlighted in terms of expected Euler’s critical shear loads and ultimate buckling resistances. Further extended nonlinear incremental studies are then discussed, and the major structural effects deriving from the interaction between the glass sheets, the circumferential adhesive joints, the supporting metal frames and additional small steel supports often used to transfer the maximum compressive reaction forces to the structural background are properly highlighted. As shown, compared to classical theories of ideally simply supported or fully clamped panels under the action of in-plane shear loads, the actual boundary conditions should be carefully taken into account. At the same time, the effects deriving from multiple combinations of several geometrical and mechanical aspects should be properly assessed. In the specific case, numerically derived buckling coefficients and fitting curves of practical use are proposed for an appropriate calculation of the expected Euler’s critical load for the studied configurations. Finally, the application and validity of a normalized Eurocode-based design buckling curve recalled from literature is also assessed. Based on the rather good agreement between FE and analytical calculations, the same approach is then proposed as practical and suitable design method for the studied loading and boundary conditions.