Laminated glass column

This research deals with the buckling behaviour of laminated glass (two monolithic layers of glass joined with an elastomeric interlayer to form a unit). In particular, the paper is devoted to the geometrically nonlinear behaviour of one-dimensional elements. The research has included an experimental campaign, which was conducted on LG subjected to compressive load, and a theoretical analysis, which developed a mathematical model for determining the critical load. The test stage carried out a range of experimental work on fifty-two laminated glass bars differing in glass type and geometry that were subjected to axial compressive force up to collapse. Different loading rates were adopted to emphasize the role of the visco-elastic interlayer. The theoretical stage developed an analytical closed-form model that predicts the exact critical load of one-dimensional members made of laminated glass. The paper shows the experimentation, the model, the simulations of the tests with the model, and a theoretical analysis of products available in the architectural glass marketplace that encompasses glass structural applications. The results show the role of lamination on buckling and provide rules in order to use laminated glass for compressive elements.