Enhancing the performance of anti-blast windows through the use of carbon nanotube reinforced polymer gaskets

Abstract

Anti-blast windows are critical in ensuring the safety of structures exposed to explosive threats, such as terrorist attacks or accidental explosions. These windows consist of blast-resistant glass and a structural framing system that must be able to withstand the high-pressure shock of an explosion. The present study presents a novel structural framing system for anti-explosion windows that adheres to the standards set forth by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) 360-16 Specifications and the Aluminum Design Manual (ADM) 2020. The system encompasses a distinct combination of aluminum 6063-T6 angles and ASTM A36 steel embed plates that are connected by spaced bolts and augmented by the addition of a carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer CNT/polymer gasket. A numerical investigation utilizing ABAQUS software was performed to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the window assembly under intense blast loads, taking into account the effect of incorporating the CNT/polymer gasket and the impact of the gasket weight fraction on the performance of the structure. The results of the study demonstrate that the use of the CNT/polymer gasket and increasing the wight fraction ratio resulted in improvement of the blast performance of the window frame structure in terms of the significant reduction in stress, deformation and rotation, as well as the increasing of the energy dissipation during the blast event compared to when the gasket was not utilized. These findings offer crucial benchmarks for the proposed structure and offer recommendations for its implementation in industry practice, with the ultimate goal of developing more efficient and effective designs for anti-explosion windows that meet industry standards.