A method for predicting approximate lateral deflections in thin glass plates

In the present paper a three-dimensional non-linear truss element and a short computer program for the modeling and predicting approximate lateral deflections in thin glass plates by the method of incremental loading are proposed. Due to the out-of-plane large deflections of thin glass plates compared to the plate thickness within each loading increment, the equilibrium and stiffness conditions are written with respect to the deformed structure. An application is presented on a thin fully tempered monolithic rectangular glass plate, laterally supported around its perimeter subjected to uniform wind pressure. The results of the analysis are compared with published experimental results and found to have satisfactory approximation. It is also observed that the large deflections of a glass plate lead to a part substitution of the bending plate behavior by a tensioned membrane behavior which is favorable.