State of the Art of Blast Resistant Windows

Over the past decade a reliable, but possibly conservative, practice has evolved for the design of blast resistant window systems. Herein, the procedure for glazing design is first summarized. This is then comprehensively compared to the results of various prototype tests. Next, the failure criteria for the glass component of the system is critically considered. Finally, the practice for window frame design is examined with a view toward reliable economies. Over the last 10 years, a design methodology has been formulated, developed and tested for the design of blast resistant glazing. Design procedures have been specifically developed for thermally tempered glass, semi-tempered glass, polycarbonate, laminated tempered, laminated semi-tempered, and annealed laminated glass. A procedure for analyzing monolithic annealed (regular plate or float glass) has also been established (none of the authors recommend annealed or wire glass for blast resistant design). This approach has been subjected to peer review and published in the Department of Defense Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental Explosions, Army TM5-1300, Navy NAVFAC P-397, and Air Force AFR 88- 22, the Naval Physical Security Equipment Manual and the Corps of Engineers Security Engineering Manual Handbook. The approach has also been adopted for design by the United States Department of State and other governmental agencies. The theoretical approach used to develop the design curves, tables, and formulas has also been incorporated into many computer programs. Gerald Meyers developed and wrote TM, PE, PR, EMB, WINDOW, BWORK, BLASTOP, and GLASSTOP. Donald Baldwin has incorporated much of the theory into WINDX, GPLAC, WINLAC, SAFEVUE, MAXLITE, VUELITE and MAXVUE. See also ADM000767. Presented at the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Seminar (26th) held in Miami, Florida on 16-18 August 1994. Published in the Proceedings of the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Seminar (26th), 1994.