Abstract
Adhesively bonded technique is preferred more than bolted joining technique for glass connections. Glass panels supported by metal frame are generally used to glazing applications. Obtaining the critical buckling temperature is highly important and also thermal buckling behaviour of the glass joints should be considered. Stability of the joint is influenced by many design parameters such as types of adhesive/adherent materials. This paper presents a finite element method (FEM) of adhesively bonded scarf joint under thermal loading. Finite element models for the glass joint having isotropic (Aluminum and Steel) or anisotropic (Boron-epoxy, Kevlar-epoxy and E glass-epoxy) adherents were established by ANSYS® commercial program. FEM analysis was based on the usage of special surface to surface contact elements. The effects of adherent properties on the critical buckling temperature were investigated. Adhesively bonded scarf joint mode shapes were presented for the first five modes. Among the anisotropic adherent materials, the highest critical buckling temperature was determined for the boron-epoxy/glass joint. Additionally, the results showed that the adherent materials should be chosen carefully for adhesively bonded glass joints. Copyright © 2017 VBRI Press.