Experimental analysis of adhesion phenomena in fibre-reinforced glass structures

• Three types of resin and two types of reinforcement were tested.
• Single-lap shear tests and double-lap shear tests were performed.
• The maximum load and the failure mode of the adhesive joint were recorded.
• Substantiated theories were used to analyse the results and the resins’ behaviour.
• A formulation was developed to evaluate debonding resistance and optimal bond length.

Adhesion phenomena in hybrid glass structures made of glass and composite material are of critical importance in order to achieve high performance. As a contribution to the study of this topic, an experimental and analytical investigation was performed. It looked into the adhesion phenomena of two different composites, such as GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymers) and SRP (Steel Reinforced Polymers), using different types of resins and various interface geometries. The experiment was carried out on samples subjected to shear traction tests, in order to examine the load transfer mechanism and the failure mode of the adhesive joint, to evaluate the optimal bond length and to perform a validation using substantiated theories. A formulation studied on the basis of the experimental results is also proposed herein to evaluate debonding resistance and the optimal bond length.