An Energy-Based Approach in Predicting Failure of the Glazing Systems Subjected to Blast Loads

Abstract

In an air blast, building windows break into high-velocity flying shards (annealed glass windows) or fragments (fully tempered windows) that are a primary source of injury to the buildings occupants. In order to successfully design these glazing systems against air blast loading, there should be a balance between the safety and security of the window panel and considerations for the physical appearance and cost-effectiveness, based on the proposed level of security and previous lessons learned. Better understanding of the glazing systems' failure due to the blast load characteristics is an important step forward in mitigating injuries. In this paper, glass failure dynamics is studied using energy methods and brittle failure theories combined with finite element simulations and techniques. Because both methods take into account glass panel characteristics and blast load intensities, employing explicit nonlinear finite element methods with analytical energy methods to model the brittle failure of the conventional building glazing systems is the superior strategy. The results of this study will be beneficial in development of more comprehensive blast- resistance design guidelines and a glazing injury model that will enhance the security of the buildings and improve the safety of the occupants during an air blast.