Experimental Tests of Laminated Glass with Embedded Steel Mesh Subjected to In-Plane Loading

This article presents the issue of the in-plane post-breakage capacity of laminated glass elements. It presents the results of an ongoing research project that aims to develop novel reinforced, laminated glass elements with embedded steel woven mesh and increased post-breakage capacity. The research was focused on tensile strength tests in a custom-made experimental set-up. The tests were carried out on laminated glass samples consisting of two glass panes with 8, 10 and 12 mm thicknesses, bonded with an EVA Clear interlayer (3.04 mm thick). A total of 36 reference and reinforced samples were tested (6 series of 6 samples each). During the tests, an increase in load after glass breakage was observed for all samples, however, the samples reinforced with steel mesh showed much better strength in the post-breakage phase. It was found that the steel woven mesh embedded in laminated glass increases the post-breakage capacity by approximately 300% compared to the reference samples.