Abstract
This paper presents selected findings from a study of fundamental mechanistic understanding of structural behaviour of glass blocks/bricks in wall structures. Despite the potential of glass bricks as a construction material, no clear guidelines or methodologies are available regarding the geometry of the optimal glass blocks and the load response and failure behaviour.
A Finite Element (FE)-based computational methodology was developed in the present study to determine the geometry and the dimensions of the optimal glass blocks. Geometry of the glass blocks available from the commercial suppliers and a range of alternative rectangular geometries were considered in the study. Based on the analysis of the stress distributions and an adopted failure criterion for glass blocks, the results showed that length: width: height ratio of 1.5: 1.5: 1.0 ensures the optimal geometry for glass blocks. The most structurally efficient glass blocks were that with height between 50 and 85 mm and weight between 0.7- 3.4kg.
In the second half of the study, the developed FE models were extended to determine optimal interlocking geometries for glass bricks in wall construction. Taking inspiration from various Lego bricks designs, and based on the results of stress distributions, it was determined that top and bottom surfaces with single sine wave shape ensure the highest lateral and vertical stability and the load resistance. The most effective combination of horizontal and vertical interlocks was found to be one sine wave interlock on the top and bottom surfaces with hemispherical-shape on the vertical sides. The ratio for the most effective amplitude of the each interlock was determined to be amplitude/height of the brick ratio of 0.33 (same as amplitude/length or width of the brick ratio of 0.22).
A Finite Element (FE)-based computational methodology was developed in the present study to determine the geometry and the dimensions of the optimal glass blocks. Geometry of the glass blocks available from the commercial suppliers and a range of alternative rectangular geometries were considered in the study. Based on the analysis of the stress distributions and an adopted failure criterion for glass blocks, the results showed that length: width: height ratio of 1.5: 1.5: 1.0 ensures the optimal geometry for glass blocks. The most structurally efficient glass blocks were that with height between 50 and 85 mm and weight between 0.7- 3.4kg.
In the second half of the study, the developed FE models were extended to determine optimal interlocking geometries for glass bricks in wall construction. Taking inspiration from various Lego bricks designs, and based on the results of stress distributions, it was determined that top and bottom surfaces with single sine wave shape ensure the highest lateral and vertical stability and the load resistance. The most effective combination of horizontal and vertical interlocks was found to be one sine wave interlock on the top and bottom surfaces with hemispherical-shape on the vertical sides. The ratio for the most effective amplitude of the each interlock was determined to be amplitude/height of the brick ratio of 0.33 (same as amplitude/length or width of the brick ratio of 0.22).
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 18 Jul 2024 |
| Event | 15th European Society of Glass Conference - Churchill College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom Duration: 15 Jul 2024 → 19 Sept 2024 https://sgt.org/mpage/ESG15NCM15 |
Conference
| Conference | 15th European Society of Glass Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ESG15 |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Cambridge |
| Period | 15/07/24 → 19/09/24 |
| Internet address |