Toward a Novel SMA-reinforced Laminated Glass Panel

Shape-memory alloys (SMAs) are a class of metal materials that exhibit two outstanding properties, namely the superelastic and the shape-memory effects. Taking advantage of these intrinsic properties, several applications have been proposed over the past years in robotic, automotive, and biomedical engineering in the form of SMA actuator wires and plates replacing conventional pneumatic or hydraulic systems. In this chapter, a novel design concept of SMA-reinforced laminated glass panels is proposed, and the feasibility of an adaptive embedded reinforcement system built up of martensitic SMA wires is explored. Glass panels are often used as cladding walls in façades or roofs in buildings to cover large surfaces with typically high size-to-thickness ratios. Major restrictions in their design are thus represented by prevention of glass failure and large deflections. It is expected, based on the current investigation, that useful design recommendations could be derived for further refinement of this novel concept. © 2016 Scrivener Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.