Numerical analysis of point-supported glass panels subjected to static loads and soft body impact.

The paper reports a numerical campaign in which two point-supported elements made of laminated glass were investigated with FEM. The first element was a horizontal roof panel 3000×1500 mm² supported at six locations and subjected to static, uniformly distributed load. The second element was a free-standing glass balustrade 900×1900 mm² mounted to the structure by four-point supports and subjected to soft body impact. Four types of fixings were investigated: disk fixing, countersunk fixing, bonded disk fixing and countersunk fixing on a single layer. The analysis was aimed at the investigation of the influence of different point supports on the stress in the glass. For a selected connector, a comparative analysis using the FE software and an analytical method presented in DIN 18008-3 was performed. In addition, an analysis of a positive influence of a continuous handrail on the behavior of a row of free-standing glass balustrades was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]