Biomedical Engineering Analysis of Glass Impact Injuries

Abstract

This article outlines the history, development, and safety aspects of glass and its use in motor vehicles. It traces the manufacture and describes the characteristics of laminated and tempered glass. It further compares the differences in injuries caused by impact with laminated and tempered glass. The development, use, and results of high penetration resistance (HPR) laminated glass for windshields are examined. Head and neck injuries from impact with glass and glazing structures are delineated. Results of studies with laminated and tempered glass are presented. The probability and severity of injuries occurring secondary to partial or full ejection of vehicle occupants are discussed, and the differences between the performance of laminated and tempered glass are highlighted. Current research to quantify head and neck injury parameters caused by glass impact during rollover is described. The biomechanics of head and neck injury assessment and the development of injury prediction parameters and reference values, respectively, are reviewed.

Penetrating zone II neck injury by broken windshield

“…Currently, old glass, which can easily break into small pieces, is not being used for windshields in cars. New windshield glass is more resistant than old windshield glass (7). All modern glass in common use is radiopaque.…”

Calibrated Numerical Approach for the Dynamic Analysis of Glass Curtain Walls under Spheroconical Bag Impact

“…This study follows the extended investigations reported in [14][15][16], in which the dynamic performance of glass panels under tire impact has been explored with the support of experimental and numerical tools. Often, within the research community, the SBI performance of glass elements is primarily explored for automotive applications [17], or in terms of danger for people [18,19], while a generalized methodology still lacks for the mechanical characterization of curtain walls.…”

“…Figure19. Developed calibration procedure for the 2-DOF input parameters of the impact contact, depending on the impactor in use (linear elastic for TT, elasto-plastic with hardening for SB).…”