Enhancing the racking resistance of timber shear walls with structural glass: An experimental and computational study

Abstract

This work analyses the behaviour of structural timber-glass wall elements by carrying out experimental shear wall tests and calibrating a finite element model. Hybrid timber-glass diaphragms are a novel structural solution to increase the in-plane stiffness of façades in timber frame buildings. The solution is particularly interesting when large glass façades are desired in buildings with fewer inner structural walls. Therefore, this study investigates a hybrid system that activates the stiffness of the glass windows, using a structural silicone adhesive, to increase the structural stability of the timber façade. For these timber-glass systems, no existing design codes are applicable. A finite element model is developed in this contribution, simulating the mechanical behaviour of the system, including the timber-glass connections. This model is calibrated using small-scale connection tests. Additionally, eight shear experiments are performed on timber-glass façade elements to evaluate the strength and stiffness of the system. The behaviour of the various materials and connections is precisely captured using multiple measurement techniques, including Fibre Bragg Gratings embedded in the glass panes, Digital Image Correlation, and strain gauges. The experimental results are compared to the numerical model to assess its suitability.