Modelling fracture in laminated architectural glass subject to low velocity impact

Standard finite element wave propagation codes are useful for determining stresses caused by colliding bodies; however, their applicability to brittle materials is limited because an accurate treatment of the fracture process is difficult to model. This paper presents a method that allows traditional wave propagation codes to model low velocity, small missile impact in laminated architectural glass such as that which occurs in severe windstorms. Specifically, a method is developed to model typical fractures that occur when laminated glass is impacted by windborne debris. Computational results of concern to architectural glazing designers are presented. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.