Prediction of annealed glass window response to blast loading

• Software programs for predicting the blast response of glass facades evaluated.
• Glass Failure Prediction Model shown to be applicable to dynamic blast loading.
• Extensive data produced for well-executed field blast tests on annealed glass panes.
• Novel method for establishing the failure time of glass panes using conductive paint.

Several software packages that are capable of predicting the response of annealed glass windows to blast loads are evaluated, by comparison to experimental data that has been obtained from full-scale arena blast tests in the field. A total of 34 instrumented, monolithic, glass window panes were subjected to explosive blast waves of varying intensity. A series of small-scale material tests and full-scale pane tests was also performed in the laboratory to obtain mechanical properties for use in the predictive models. The utility of various software tools, based either on single degree of freedom analysis or explicit finite element analysis, is hence assessed, for use in the analysis or design of glazing under blast loading.