Finite element analysis of timber-glass walls

Abstract

The paper presents a finite element analysis (FEA) of experimentally investigated timber-glass composite walls. So far a series of mechanical tests with in-plane monotonous static and quasi-static cyclic loading were carried out on timber-glass walls with the goal to analyse their general behaviour and to experience failure mechanisms that occur. Timber-glass walls consisted of glass panes, adhesively bonded to the timber frame with different types of adhesives, i.e. silicone, polyurethane and epoxy. FEA was limited to timber-glass walls subjected only to monotonous static loading. A commercial finite element code Ansys was used to perform the simulation of experiments. As the types of adhesive are decisive for the behaviour of timber-glass walls, additional experiments on bulk adhesives are briefly discussed. The main aim of the performed FEA was to build as accurate as possible mathematical model of timber-glass walls to achieve the correct general behaviour, failure mechanisms and to confirm the composite action in case of using flexible adhesives, e.g. silicone and polyurethane. Geometrically nonlinear finite element method was used including solid hexahedral finite elements. Some variations of material models and mesh size were performed to calibrate the numerical model with the results of experimental investigations in order to reach the desired response. The above described experimental and FE investigations present a starting point for a comprehensive parametric study.