An analytical approach for quantification of glazing hazard in buildings subject to external explosive blasts

Abstract

This paper describes a conservative analytical approach for quantification of glazing hazard in terms of number of casualties among building occupiers from flying glass fragments produced by shattered windows due to external explosive blast. Three main stages are discussed in the proposed analytical approach: modelling nonlinear transient–dynamic response of monolithic windows subjected to conventional explosions, conservative estimation of glass fragment trajectories influenced by additional aerodynamic forces due to vented blast pressures and estimation of casualties. Four injury severity levels are considered, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to multiple serious injuries with significant blood loss. The total kinetic energy of fragments at impact on occupiers is estimated and used to predict the severity level of injuries, with calculation based on available injury data from archive events. Comparison studies presented in this paper highlight the lack of robustness of existing methods towards quantification of glazing hazard due to explosive blasts. The proposed analytical method will be of direct importance to both engineers and practitioners involved with planning glazing retrofits for existing buildings and identifying cost-effective combinations of protection measures for new buildings.