Mechanical and Dynamic Characteristics of Laminated Glass Sheets Used for Staircases

In case of laminated glass strips, the mechanical characteristics of the composite element are different from the values that are obtained for the same element from a homogeneous and isotropic material. The experimental tests presented in the paper aims to determine the mechanical characteristics of laminated glass strips used to make a staircase. For the experiment, quasi-static and dynamic tests were conducted on different glass stair steps, made from normal and tempered glass, with different number and thicknesses glass sheets. The paper presents the carrying out conditions for the experiments, the synthesis of data processing and comments on the experimental results. Experimental test results led to the constructive solution of the glass staircase steps. For staircase building up, tempered glass was chosen and the values obtained for the mechanical properties, strength and deformation capacity of the system were used in its design. Whole set of experimental tests led to a successful design and build-up of the glass staircase.