Full-Scale Test and Finite Element Analysis of Flat Tempered Glass Sheets Subjected to Long-Edge Bending

Flat tempered glass sheets subjected to cold bending have been increasingly used in modern architectural curtain walls due to its extremely low production and processing costs and construction flexibility. However, existing studies mainly focus on small-size specimens, and there is still a lack of systematic understanding of the mechanical behavior of large-size monolithic tempered glass under long-edge cold bending. This knowledge gap leads to either unsafe or overly conservative curtain wall designs, limiting the popularization and application of flat tempered glass subjected to cold bending in large-curved curtain walls. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the bending behavior of flat tempered glass sheets—3200 mm × 1700 mm × 8 mm monolithic tempered glass—under long-edge cold bending conditions, through full-scale tests, finite element simulations and theoretical derivations. Firstly, cold bending tests on three full-scale tempered glass specimens were completed to obtain the failure process, failure modes, ultimate loads, failure displacements and stress distribution laws. The initial tempered residual stress of each specimen was measured to consider its influence on the mechanical response. Secondly, a refined finite element model was established in ABAQUS, which incorporated the initial tempered stress field, self-weight deformation and contact nonlinear effects. The accuracy of the model was verified through failure location, ultimate load, displacement and load-displacement curves, with average errors of less than 5.1% for both load and displacement predictions. Finally, parametric analysis was carried out based on the validated model to reveal the influence laws of glass width and thickness on the cold bending performance. The results show that glass thickness has the most significant influence on the bearing capacity, followed by length, while width has a relatively minor effect. This study provides basic data and model support for the safe application of flat tempered glass sheets subjected to long-edge bending.