THE DAMAGE THRESHOLD OF LAMINATED GLASS STRUCTURES

✍ Scribed by P.V Grant; W.J Cantwell; H McKenzie; P Corkhill

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 502 KB
• Volume: 21
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0734-743X
• DOI: 10.1016/s0734-743x(98)00027-x

✦ Synopsis

The effect of varying the thickness of the individual glass layers on the impact resistance of a range of laminated glass constructions has been examined. Chippings, similar to those used in traditional road construction, have been accelerated to velocities in excess of 20 m/s using a purpose-built catapult system. Tests have been conducted at both normal and 45 °angles to the surface of the glass laminate and the critical velocity for damage initiation, » , determined. The results of this low velocity study indicate that the thickness of the outer glass is the primary parameter in determining »

, whereas the inner thickness has a secondary influence on this threshold. Off-axis impact testing has shown that it is the normal component of the impact velocity that determines the damage threshold. A detailed optical inspection of the failed laminates highlighted a change in fracture mode from flexure-induced star cracking to top surface cone cracking as the overall laminate thickness is increased.