Expanding Bomb Blast Performance of Architectural Glass

Stephen J. Bennison, C. Anthony Smith, Christopher C. Anderson and J. G. Sloan

In this contribution we explore the use of laminated glass as a method of providing blast mitigation for a transparent façade. While much progress has been made over the years with PVB-based laminates, the ultimate blast capacity is limited by the interlayer tear energy. We discuss the use of a new ionoplast interlayer for bomb blast applications and demonstrate significant improved blast mitigation capacity over PVB laminates. This improved performance is afforded by the greater tear energy of ionoplast polymers and an associated opportunity for new attachment and framing designs. The full potential of an ionoplast laminate may be realized by optimizing the supporting framing and glazing attachment systems. Examples of increased blast performance that are up to four times the US GSA level D specification are presented. Ionoplast laminates provide enabling technology for extending pressure-impulse loading capacity and for extending glazing design to large vision areas.

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