Glass-plastic hybrid elements: Transparent, bonded glass-plastic hybrid elements for load-bearing components

Objectives and work programme

The research project on glass-plastic hybrid elements is intended to establish a foundation for the creation of profiles made from glass and plastic with bending load-bearing capacity. There are options for increasing the use of glass if more load-bearing components are used, such as supports or beams made of glass. The effective cross-section shapes (double T profile, T profile) can be manufactured as hybrid elements made of glass and plastic, using adhesive bonding technology. Each plastic layer is contained between the glass panes in order to allow for a controlled transmission of forces between the cross-section parts of the profile, thereby fulfilling the safety requirements in the case of a breakage. The glass and plastic panels and the individual cross-section parts and components are bonded. Junctions or bend-resistant corners can also be produced using continuously curved hybrid elements. This is intended to reduce the need for mechanical safeguarding and connecting elements, as these can detract from the transparency of glass structures and can often lead to stress patterns that are not suitable for the glass material.

Within the research project, an interdisciplinary cooperation is in place to establish the theoretical and experimental basis for creating prototypes of the glass-plastic hybrid elements to be produced. With respect to the bonding, varying requirements mean that a distinction must be made between bonding of the entire surface between the layers of glass and plastic that secures the bond and linear bonding between the web and flange that has a load-bearing effect, as well as between the individual components. In addition to testing samples and researching suitable adhesives and plastics that meet these requirements, the various bonding technologies and surface characteristics and treatments also play an important role, as do the tests to determine the edge strength of the glass components. These material tests are supported by numerical stress analyses. The bonding agent itself is analysed in the form of individual laminated panes by way of mechanical testing and durability analysis. Numerical models are used in combination with these results to optimise the cross-sectional design. The development and design of bonds ultimately allows for the load-bearing capacity of the hybrid components to be tested as an entire system.

Partners

Professur Stahlbau der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Weimar,
Institut für Oberflächentechnik und Fertigungsmesstechnik, TU Dresden,
Thüringischen Institut für Textil- und Kunststoff-Forschung e. V., Rudolstadt.