Robert A. Pyles

Innovative Blast Resistant Glazing System

Mitigation techniques are continuously being developed to ensure public safety in the event of intentional or accidental explosions. Building material fragmentation is a major cause of human injury during such events. Glass products are commonly incorporated into the facade system of modern buildings. However, glazing is extremely susceptible to producing airborne debris that might cause severe injury to occupants or damage sensitive equipment housed within the building. An ultra-high performance glazing material is being developed to provide superior protection during a blast event. The glazing material consists of laminated, transparent polymer panels, hence, the system is inherently transparent, which lends itself to an open architectural appearance, but also can be decorated as desired. Shock-tube and open-range blast tests indicate that the glazing system is able to withstand a peak blast pressure of 80 psi with an impulse of 380 psi-msec. Tests also show that this innovative glazing material possess large ductility which enable it to absorb blast energy without generating any airborne debris. Windows, once designed solely by architects, become a structural issue when explosive effects are taken into consideration. In designing windows to mitigate the effects of explosions they should first be designed to resist conventional loads and then be checked for explosive load effects utilizing a balanced design approach. Balanced design philosophy requires that the glass is designed to be no stronger than the weakest part of the overall window system. The glass should fail at pressure levels that do not exceed those of the frame, anchorage, and supporting wall system. If the glass is stronger than the supporting members, then the window is likely to fail with the whole panel