Structural behaviour of glass columns due to compressive forces.

Architects are not fond of columns because they obscure views and interrupt space. Previous work has focus on columns made of glass as it creates an interesting visual feature because of its uniqueness i.e. its transparent characteristics. However, the brittleness of glass may make it unsuitable, if used for a load bearing structural member. Nevertheless, if in a correct environment, structural glass shows good stability and build-ability. The aim of this study was to investigate the structural performance of the basic tubular single glass column and a combination of more than one tubular single glass column, bundled using structural silicone sealants. This study provides a factual basis of structural behaviour of tubular glass columns for different arrangements (single and bundled) and geometrical dimensions by the use of annealed borosilicate glass. A series of compression test was carried out on several different geometrical dimensions of tubular single and bundled glass columns to determine their failure mechanism, load carrying capacity and buckling performance and also to evaluate the strain measurements on the glass surface. Finite element analysis (FEA) using the simplified Riks method was performed using ABAQUS v6.10 to verify the test results and to provide method of analysis which can be used as a guideline for structural engineers to predict structural behaviour of tubular glass columns in general. The structural performance to evaluate the column failure behaviour i.e. crushing or buckling was carried out by looking at the effect of different geometrical dimensions and shear connections in the bundled system. In addition, this study proposed a novel glass column arrangement by combining the single and bundled glass into one layered tubular glass column, namely multiple glass columns. This was studied to investigate the structural behaviour of layered glass columns and its effectiveness compared to monolithic glass of similar geometrical dimensions. Design methods for tubular single and bundled glass columns under compressive load were evaluated using second order differential equations and direct stress analysis. Column buckling curves were developed to simplify the design method by carrying out a parametric study on single glass columns of different thickness using finite element analysis. Key words: Structural Behaviour, Tubular Glass Columns, Compressive Forces, Single Glass Columns, Bundled Glass Columns, Monolithic Glass, Layered Glass, Failure Mechanisms, Load Carrying Capacity, Buckling Strength, Design Method of Tubular Glass Columns, Column Buckling Curves