An analytical model for deformation and damage of rectangular laminated glass under low-velocity impact

In this paper, an analytical model is developed for a fully clamped rectangular laminated glass subjected to low-velocity impact which is capable of capturing large non-linear deformation and glass fracture. The mathematical framework of the analytical model is based on first-order shear deformation plate theory, which incorporates the effect of bending, membrane and transverse shear and uses damage mechanics to capture the glass fracture process. A series of experiments are performed for laminated glass with two different interlayer materials, viz. polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and SentryGlas® Plus (SGP). The predicted time-history of transverse central displacement, velocity and acceleration are found in satisfactory correlations with those from the experiments. Non-dimensional parameters which govern the maximum transverse displacement and first peak contact force in the laminated glass are proposed. The analytical model developed enables quick and reliable assessment during the preliminary safety glass design where full-scale FE analysis is often too time-consuming.