Impact Response of Glass Façade to Wind Borne Debris: A Numerical Study

Abstract:

Glass façades have become a prominent feature in modern architecture, offering aesthetic appeal and abundant natural light. However, in regions exposed to severe weather conditions, particularly during storms, glass façades are vulnerable to damage from wind-borne debris. The impact of such debris can compromise the structural integrity of the façade, leading to potential safety hazards. Despite the significant threat posed by wind-borne debris to the safety and performance of glass façades, the behavior of these materials under impact is not extensively studied. This study presents a comprehensive numerical analysis of the impact behavior of laminated glass panels subjected to debris typically propelled by strong wind forces, using LS-DYNA^®. The simulation models the interaction between wind-borne debris and glass panels of varying debris masses. Mechanical behavior of the glass is incorporated using fracture mechanics to simulate cracking and failure under impact. A range of impact scenarios is considered, including variations in debris mass, impact velocity, and impact locations, to replicate real-world conditions as accurately as possible. The numerical model integrates material properties, layer configurations, and impact conditions to closely reflect actual scenarios. In this study, wooden blocks of different masses are impacted on the laminated glass panels at varying locations and impact velocities. The results reveal the critical factors influencing the glass façade's response, such as the velocity of the incoming debris and the material strength of the glass. This study offers valuable insights for improving the safety and durability of glass façades. Thus, by understanding the complex dynamics of glass response to wind-borne debris, the study contributes to the development of more resilient architectural and structural systems, leading to better risk management strategies for buildings in areas prone to extreme weather events.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 171)
• Pages: 239-248
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-D1YkQg
• Online since: December 2025
• Authors: Deenay Ambade*, Manmohan Dass Goel, L. M. Gupta
• Keywords: Impact, Laminated Glass, LS-DYNA^®, Numerical Simulation, Wind Borne Debris

References

[1] W. Liu, Y. Shi, H. Hao, J. Cui, Experimental and numerical study on dynamic behavior of laminated glass window under combustible gas explosions, Eng. Struct. 300 (2023) 117159.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.117159

[2] A. Zemanová, P. Hála, P. Konrád, R. Sovják, M. Šejnoha, Gradual fracture of layers in laminated glass plates under low-velocity impact, Comput. Struct. 283 (2023) 107053.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruc.2023.107053

[3] Z. Li, W. Chen, H. Hao, Performance of reinforced lightweight geopolymer composite panels subjected to windborne debris impacts, Constr. Build. Mater. 394 (2023) 132264.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132264

[4] J. E. Minor, Windborne debris and the building envelope, J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn. 53 (1994) 207-227.

[5] S. M. Gebru, Calculation of wind-borne debris impact in tornado event, https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:117201720.

[6] F. Wang, P. Huang, R. Zhao, H. Wu, M. Sun, Z. Zhou, Y. Xing, Predicting trajectories of plate-type wind-borne debris in turbulent wind flow with uncertainties, Infrastruct. 8 (12) (2023) 180.

DOI: 10.3390/infrastructures8120180

[7] American Society of Testing and Materials, Standard specification for performance of exterior windows, curtain walls, doors, and impact protective systems impacted by windborne debris in hurricanes. ASTM E 1996 - 09, United States.

DOI: 10.1520/e1996-02

[8] American Society of Testing and Materials, Standard test methods for performance of exterior windows, curtain walls, doors, and impact protective systems impacted by missile(s) and exposed to cyclic pressure differentials. ASTM E 1886 - 05, United States.

DOI: 10.1520/e1886-04

[9] American national standard for safety glazing materials for glazing motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment operating on land highways - safety standard. ANSI/SAE Z 26.1-2007.

DOI: 10.4271/j3097z26_201905

[10] J. Xu, Y. Sun, B. Liu, M. Zhu, X. Yao, Y. Yan, Y. Li, X. Chen, Experimental and macroscopic investigation of dynamic crack patterns in PVB laminated glass sheets subject to light-weight impact, Eng. Fail. Anal. 18 (6) (2011) 1605–1612.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2011.05.004

[11] M. S. Shetty, L. R. Dharani, D. S. Stutts, Analysis of laminated architectural glazing subjected to wind load and windborne debris impact, ISRN Civil Eng. (2012) 1–9.

DOI: 10.5402/2012/949070

[12] J. Belis, C. Bedon, C. Louter, C. Amadio, R. Van Impe, Experimental and analytical assessment of lateral torsional buckling of laminated glass beams, Eng. Struct. 51 (2013) 295–305.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2013.02.002

[13] Y. Peng, J. Yang, C. Deck, R. Willinger, Finite element modeling of crash test behavior for windshield laminated glass, Int. J. Impact Eng. 57 (2013) 27–35.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2013.01.010

[14] X. Zhang, H. Hao, G. Ma, Laboratory test and numerical simulation of laminated glass window vulnerability to debris impact, Int. J. Impact Eng. 55 (2013) 49–62.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2013.01.002

[15] C. Bedon, J. Belis, A. Luible, Assessment of existing analytical models for the lateral torsional buckling analysis of PVB and SG laminated glass beams via viscoelastic simulations and experiments, Eng. Struct. 60 (2014) 52–67.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2013.12.012

[16] X. Chen, A. H. C. Chan, Modelling impact fracture and fragmentation of laminated glass using the combined finite-discrete element method, Int. J. Impact Eng. 112 (2017) 15–29.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2017.10.007

[17] I. Mohagheghian, M. N. Charalambides, Y. Wang, L. Jiang, X. Zhang, Y. Yan, A. J. Kinloch, J. P. Dear, Effect of the polymer interlayer on the high-velocity soft impact response of laminated glass plates, Int. J. Impact Eng. 120 (2018) 150–170.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2018.06.002

[18] X. E. Wang, J. Yang, H. Xu, Experimental investigation on the impact resistance of laminated glass with various glass make-ups, DOAJ (2018).

[19] M. Kozłowski, K. Zemła, M. Kosmal, O. Kopyłow, Experimental and FE study on impact strength of toughened glass–retrospective approach, Mater. 14 (24) (2021) 7658.

DOI: 10.3390/ma14247658

[20] B. Huang, W. Hu, K. Xu, X. Guan, W. Lu, Experimental and numerical investigation on glass panel subjected to pendulum impact, Int. J. Impact Eng. 173 (2022) 104457.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2022.104457

[21] H. S. Kim, B. K. Ha, B. Y. Yoo, H. S. Jeong, S. H. Park, Numerical prediction of dynamic fracture strength of edge-mounted non-symmetric tempered glass panels under steel ball drop impact, J. Mater. Res. Technol. 17 (2022) 270–281.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.12.134

[22] X. Chen, X. Chen, A. H. C. Chan, Y. Cheng, Parametric analyses on the impact fracture of laminated glass using the combined finite-discrete element method, Compos. Struct. 297 (2022) 115914.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2022.115914

[23] C. Bedon, Frequency-based early crack detection and damage severity measure in structural glass members: application to beams in bending, J. Archit. Eng. 30 (2024) 4.

DOI: 10.1061/jaeied.aeeng-1670

[24] T. J. Holmquist, G. R. Johnson, C. Lopatin, D. Grady, E. S. Hertel, High strain rate properties and constitutive modeling of glass, Albuquerque, NM, United States: Sandia National Labs (1995).

DOI: 10.2172/41367

[25] D. S. Cronin, K. Bui, C. Kaufmann, G. McIntosh, T. Berstad, D. Cronin, Implementation and validation of the Johnson-Holmquist ceramic material model in LS-Dyna, In Proceeding 4th European LS-DYNA Users Conference (2003) 47-60.

[26] M. Froli, L. Lani, Adhesion, creep and relaxation properties of PVB in laminated safety glass, GPD Finland: Proceedings of the glass performance days, Finland, Tampere (2011).