ABSTRACT
Structural glass beams are increasingly used in contemporary architecture in the form of roof beams and glass façade fins. However, due to the brittle nature of glass, its application as a structural material requires specific safety concepts. A particular safety concept for glass beams, that has been developed over the past years, embodies the adhesive bonding of a reinforcement section at the tensile edge of the glass beams, thereby creating so-called reinforced glass beams. Due to the addition of this reinforcement section, the glass beams are able to carry load even if the glass is cracked. More specifically, a significant post-breakage resistance and post-breakage ductility is created which ensures a safe structural behaviour of the glass beam.
