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Shape-Memory Alloys (SMAs) are a class of metal materials that exhibit two outstanding properties, the superelastic and the shape-memory effects. Taking advantage of these properties, several SMA actuator wires and plates have been proposed over the last years in robotic, automotive, and biomedical engineering. In this paper, the feasibility of a novel design concept of SMA-reinforced laminated glass panels is proposed, based on an adaptive embedded system built up of SMA wires. Glass panels used as cladding walls in facades have in fact typically high size-to-thickness ratios, hence, major restrictions in design are represented by prevention of glass failure and large deflections. It is expected, based on the current investigation, that useful design recommendations can be derived for this novel design concept.

Shape-memory alloys (SMAs) are a class of metal materials that exhibit two outstanding properties, namely the superelastic and the shape-memory effects. Taking advantage of these intrinsic properties, several applications have been proposed over the past years in robotic, automotive, and biomedical engineering in the form of SMA actuator wires and plates replacing conventional pneumatic or hydraulic systems. In this chapter, a novel design concept of SMA-reinforced laminated glass panels is proposed, and the feasibility of an adaptive embedded reinforcement system built up of martensitic SMA wires is explored. Glass panels are often used as cladding walls in façades or roofs in buildings to cover large surfaces with typically high size-to-thickness ratios. Major restrictions in their design are thus represented by prevention of glass failure and large deflections. It is expected, based on the current investigation, that useful design recommendations could be derived for further refinement of this novel concept.

In this study, the feasibility and potentiality of a novel design concept is explored by means of small scale experimental tests and Finite-Element numerical simulation. Taking advantage of the intrinsic potentiality of Shape-Memory Alloys wires able to work as adaptive actuators when subjected to joule heating, a ‘smart-GFRP’ concept consisting in Glass-Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer (GFRP) structural members with a SMA reinforcement is preliminary assessed. As shown, as far as the working temperature increases, important structural benefits can be achieved in terms of overall performance of the proposed composite systems. The potentiality of the same design concept is then further assessed by means of a practical calculation example. publishersversion published

Due to the growing application of laminated glass panels in building facades and roofs, tending towards the minimization of frameworks, substructures and supports, technological solutions based on the use of glass panels with increasingly wide dimensions and modern design principles are becoming more frequent. The growing use of structural glass applications is leading to “lighter” and “smarter” optimized design solutions. The design of such applications greatly depends on the material mechanical properties of their structural elements and on their sensitivity to ambient and loading conditions. This is the specific case of laminated glass, where a temperature and time loading sensitive interlayer is generally used to bond together two (or more) glass panes with brittle behavior and rather limited tensile resistance. In this research paper, a novel adaptive glass panel concept is developed by using shape-memory alloy (SMA) cables, and assessed by means of Finite-element numerical studies and experimental validation. Based on the case study of an existing laminated glass roof panel, several geometrical configurations of practical interest are investigated. A key role in the proposed approach is the application of external pre-stressing based on the Joule heating of the SMA bracing system. The structural efficiency of the cable system is emphasized by taking into account the effects of ordinary wind pressures and temperature variations. Due to the innovative adaptive control system, as shown, the structural performance of traditional laminated glass panels can be enhanced, e.g. optimized in terms of maximum displacements and stresses in the glass, as well as in the overall dimensions and thicknesses of the glass panes.