Preliminary studies on the mechanical behaviour of thick embedded laminated connections

Laminated glass components are usually realized bonding glass plates by means of interlayer polymers that develop adhesion forces during lamination. Recently, these adhesion forces have been used also to realize adhesive connections for structural glass components. An example of this joining technique is the so-called embedded laminated connection. In embedded connections a metal insert is encapsulated in laminated components between the glass plates. In this work the mechanical behaviour of embedded laminated connections with thick metal insert is studied by means of modeling and laboratory testing. Firstly, the results of experimental investigations at different temperatures are presented. It is observed that the temperature variations affect not only the maximum load carrying capacity but also the failure mode. In order to explain the mechanical behaviour and the failure mode of this joining technique, the results and the experimental observations of the testing campaign are then analysed and compared to numerical simulation and analytical studies. Finally, the application of laminated connections to large scale testing is here presented.