On the hyperelastic material behaviour of polyurethane in the context of structural sealant glazing

Structural glazing joints in glass construction are subject to dynamic earthquake loads in certain regions. To date, however, there is no recognized proposal for the design of such situations. The verification for earthquake loads is either neglected for glass structures or carried out with equivalent values for the entire building. Not considering the behaviour of the bonded joints under dynamic loading might be insufficient, especially in the presence of heavy glass elements.

Dynamic loads on bonded glass constructions influence the structural design concerning resistance and influence. The load-bearing capacity of the structural sealant might be reduced on the one-hand side, while the impact on the bond might be decreased on the other-hand side.

Silicone adhesives have been used almost exclusively for structural sealant glazing (SSG) since the 1970s. This is partly due to the special UV resistance. However, the facade industry has developed enormously since then and there are many solutions to counteract UV radiation. Therefore, other robust adhesives should also be considered for SSG applications. Especially for catastrophic scenarios such as dynamic earthquake loads or hurricanes, where very large deformations and high load velocities can occur within the bond, it is of interest to find more suitable materials. Previous studies have shown that polyurethanes could be a suitable choice for this application.

A more thorough investigation of the structural performance of polyurethane within bonded glass structures under different loading scenarios is urgently required and an appropriate material model is essential. The calibration of this model is crucial to better understand the performance under dynamic loading. Identify the material parameters for this model based on DMTA and tensile tests seems promising.