Thermal stress fracture of wire glass

Y. W. Mai, K. M. Richardson, B. Cottereil

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The phenomenon of thermal stress fracture of wire glass panes used as shower screens in bathrooms is studied in this paper. It is found that both membrane and bending stresses are generated at the edges of the glass pane due to temperature gradients across the planform and in the thickness direction. These thermal stresses alone are lower than the nominal glass strength and cannot cause thermal fracture. However, circular flaws with small edge cracks are shown to exist in postitions near where the steel wires protrude. Using fracture mechanics concepts, it is shown that these stresses together with the edge cracks have exceeded the fracture toughness of the glass pane thus causing thermal stress fracture.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)27-31
Number of pages5
JournalMatériaux et Constructions
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1982
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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