Giovanna Ranocchiai

Time-Dependent Behavior of Laminated Glass

This research deals with the mechanical characterization of laminated glass beams (glass-interlayer-glass) subjected to bending, with the main purpose of evaluating the coupling that the interlayer is able to establish between the glass sheets; in fact, the interlayer provides the glass plies with the ability to work more or less jointly. Four-point-bending tests (constant load) were performed on glass beams laminated with different interlayer plastic sheets. Shear tests (constant load) were performed on laminated glass specimens to determine the viscosity properties of the interlayer, when laminated between glass sheets. The parameters of viscosity, determined by the shear tests, make it possible to reproduce the time-dependent behavior of the composite beam, both numerically and by means of a closed-form procedure. The experimental results were compared with those obtained with the theoretical model and with the numerical simulation. The comparison among the different polymer interlayers shows that they are able to influence differently the mechanical behavior of the laminated composite and that their performance degrades at different rates as a function of time.

The Effects of Mortar Joints on the Efficiency of Anchored CFRP Sheets Reinforcements of Brick-Masonry

The first results of an experimental campaign are reported that evaluates the efficiency of anchored CFRP reinforcements on brick masonry. Near End Supported Single Shear Tests were carried out on masonry pillars made according two different patterns, in order to detect the influence of both bed and perpend joints. The results are compared with results obtained from previous experimental campaign in which CFRP reinforcements were applied on “only brick” surfaces.

An Experimental Analysis of the Mechanical Behaviour of Anchored Cfrp-to-Masonry Reinforcements Loaded by Out-of-Plane Actions

Carbon Fibers Reinforced Composite (CFRP) materials are widely used for structural rehabilitation and retrofitting of both masonry and concrete structures. Recent studies published in the literature are devoted to the analysis of novel methods to increase CFRP-to-substrate bond capacity. Among these, spike anchors demonstrated to be able to effectively increase both strength and ductility of CFRP reinforcement sheets. Since most of the literature in this field refers to CFRP-to-masonry reinforcements loaded by in plane actions, the experimental research described in this paper is devoted to the analysis of the effectiveness of spike anchors in CFRP reinforcements bonded to masonry structural elements loaded by out-of-plane actions.

Test Methods for the Determination of Interlayer Properties in Laminated Glass

AbstractCurrent standards introduce different test methods to be used for the determination of the dynamic properties of polymers. Some of these have been applied in the last years for the evaluati...