Linear adhesive connections at the edge of laminated glass panes: an experimental study under tensile, compressive and shear loading

Adhesive connections experience in recent years an increasing popularity in the field of structural glass. Generally, linear adhesive joints are positioned on the surface of glass panes as in the case of structural sealant glazing systems. However, due to the existing trend for larger glass elements and implicitly glass panes with higher thickness, connections with adhesive joints at the edge of laminated glass panes become more interesting. In this article, experimental results for such linear adhesive joints with glass and stainless steel substrates, tested under tensile, compressive and shear loading, are presented and discussed. Three different cross section geometries of the joints are investigated: rectangular, L-shaped and U-shaped. For each of these cross sections, two silicone adhesives approved for structural sealant glazing systems and one structural acrylic adhesive are included in the experimental programme. All tests are performed at ambient conditions. Beside the mechanical behaviour in the form of load versus displacement results, also the failure modes and patterns are analysed. Regarding the interaction of the adhesives with the interlayer material under compressive loading, it is observed that at certain loads bubbles start to form in the interlayer and subsequently a delamination is initiated for all three adhesives. Moreover, the specimens with acrylic adhesive exhibit delamination as well under tensile and under shear loading. The results from this experimental study provide novel findings for linear adhesive connections at the edge of laminated glass panes and represent a basis for further investigations and developments on such joints.