Experimental and numerical characterization of twisting response of thin glass

Abstract The use of new generation thin, lightweight and damage-resistant glass, originally conceived for electronic displays, is moving its first steps in the built environment, particular adaptive movable skins façades. Its experimental characterization represents pearhaps one main open problems glass research engineering. Indeed, standard methods to test strength cannot be used, due geometrical nonlinearities, thwarting correct procedure strenght calculation. Here, an innovative proposed, where a rectangular thin element twisted with high distortion level, while rigid elements constrain two opposite plate edges remain straight. A dedicated apparatus, that can used specimens different size thickness, has been designed test, up rupture, chemically tempered thickness 1.1 mm 2.1 mm. Experimental results have compared those numerical analyses, regard influence conditions on response.