Failure probability of laminated architectural glazing due to combined loading of wind and debris impact

• Stress analysis is integrated into a Weibull based failure probability model.
• Combined effect of wind and debris impact on laminated glass failure is studied.
• The failure probability of new glass panels is lower than that of aged one.
• A panel aspect ratio between 2 and 3 is optimal from the design perspective.
• Thickness ratio of outer to inner plies is important for small missile impact.

Building façades are vulnerable to wind and wind-borne debris during extreme weather conditions like hurricanes. Laminated glazing is widely used as window glazing material to ensure the integrity of the building interiors. Wind-borne debris has been classified as small-hard and large soft missiles representing small gravel to large wooden bars that constitute the debris impacting the glazing during severe storms. Failure of laminated window glazing due to combined effect of wind and debris is studied. Stress analysis is done using finite element code ABAQUS. This is used in conjunction with a mechanics based statistical model to predict the cumulative probability of inner glass ply breakage in laminated glazing. A parametric study involving failure probability of inner glass ply for different geometry of laminated glazing is also performed.