Buckling of laminated glass elements in out-of-plane bending

Because of their characteristic high slenderness ratios, monolithic and laminated glass elements in bending are frequently subjected to lateral–torsional buckling phenomena. As regards laminated glass beams or panes, in particular, the effects of temperature variations or the load duration represent only some aspects that contribute to make complex the buckling response, already conditioned by slenderness ratios and by limited tensile strengths. In this context, the load bearing capacity of laminated glass beams in out-of-plane bending is investigated through a simple analytical model developed on the basis of Newmark’s theory, regarding the flexural response of composite beams with deformable connection. Some buckling curves are presented to illustrate how a combination of weathering variations, initial imperfections or particular load conditions can simultaneously affect the buckling response of laminated glass beams and put forward their failure.