Design of Blast-Loaded Glazing Windows and Facades: A Review of Essential Requirements towards Standardization

Abstract

The determination of the blast protection level of laminated glass windows and facades is of crucial importance, and it is normally done by using experimental investigations. In recent years numerical methods have become much more powerful also with respect to this kind of application. This paper attempts to give a first idea of a possible standardization concerning such numerical simulations. Attention is drawn to the representation of the blast loading and to the proper description of the behaviour of the material of the mentioned products, to the geometrical meshing, and to the modelling of the connections of the glass components to the main structure. The need to validate the numerical models against reliable experimental data, some of which are indicated, is underlined.

Access Control Points: Reducing a Possible Blast Impact by Meandering

“…Concerning the physical resistance or structural robustness of a building, a progressive collapse mechanism [2] must be avoided and glass surfaces, like windows or façades [3], should be protected against the impact of blast waves or projectiles. e physical protection of crowded places against explosive events can be performed by proper shadowing techniques, for example, by using concrete blocks [4].…”

Improving the dynamic performance of multi- storey buildings via protective glazing curtain walls

“…From a structural point of view, however, under the action of exceptional loads as impacts, explosions, seismic events or hazards in general, the glazing envelopes often represent a critical component for multi-storey buildings, due to the typically brittle behaviour and limited tensile resistance of glass panes, hence requiring specific, fail-safe design concepts [1]. The appropriate estimation of the vulnerability of glazing systems, as well as the prediction of their actual dynamic behaviour under exceptional loads (including the interaction between a given envelope and the substructure/primary building), or the implementation and development of advanced retrofitting and enhancing techniques, consequently, are currently open topics still requiring extended studies.…”

Structural Glass Systems under Fire: Overview of Design Issues, Experimental Research, and Developments

“…Advanced FE modelling, in this regard, could represent a valid alternative to time-and costconsuming experiments. However, major issues for the FE analysis of structural glass elements under re derive from the current lack of standardized guidelines and general rules able to o er reliable results [21], as well as of wellestablished mechanical and thermal properties of materials in use. In addition, FE literature e orts related to the re performance of structural glass systems are very limited (see, e.g., [22]).…”