Modeling interply debonding in laminated architectural glass subject to low velocity impact

Standard finite element wave propagation codes are useful for determining stresses caused by the impact of one body with another; however, their applicability to a laminated system such as architectural laminated glass is limited because the important interlayer delamination process caused by impact loading is difficult to model. This paper presents a method that allows traditional wave propagation codes to model the interlayer debonding of laminated architectural glass subject to low velocity, small missile impact such as that which occurs in severe windstorms. The method can be extended to any multilayered medium with adhesive bonding between the layers. Computational results of concern to architectural glazing designers are presented.