Optimal Segmentation of Glass Shell Structures

Abstract

Monolithic glass shells can be constructed in limited sizes. Segmented shells allow coverage of larger spans. Three shell systems - spherical dome, cylindrical roof and hyperbolic paraboloid were segmented using four different curved glass segment shapes – square, diamond (or pie for dome), hexagon and hexalock. Three joint materials were analysed- glass (resulting in a monolithic glass shell), silicone (soft adhesive) and epoxy (hard adhesive). A Reissner-Mindlin finite element was used in ANSYS to discretize the modelled geometry. The boundary conditions were setup keeping in mind the favourable membrane behaviour of shell structures. It was found out that glass segment shape and joint stiffness has an influence on the shell behaviour. Optimal shapes show similar behaviour in comparison to monolithic glass shell. Others show a significant increase in the deflection and bending moment values which is unwanted. The in-plane membrane forces remain unaffected and thus are found to be independent of glass segment shape and joint stiffness.