Response of curved laminated glass under quasistatic and blast loads

Abstract Laminated glass (LG) is extensively used in protective structures, facades, and blast-resistant glazing systems due to its ability to absorb impact energy and mitigate damage under extreme loading conditions. One of its key advantages is the interlayer, which plays a critical role in holding fragmented glass pieces together upon breakage, reducing the risk of dangerous glass shards and maintaining partial structural integrity. Most existing research on LG under dynamic loads has focused on flat panels, limited attention has been given to curved LG, despite its potential advantages in redistributing stresses and improving structural performance. This study aims to address this gap by experimentally investigating the response of curved laminated glass (CLG) under quasistatic and dynamic loads. The quasistatic tests were performed using a water chamber, while the dynamic response was assessed through a shock tube test, simulating blast loading scenarios. The experimental results demonstrated that in quasistatic testing, the CLG panel outperformed the flat panel, withstanding 50% higher pressure before failure. Under dynamic loading conditions, the curved specimen exhibited an 84.6% reduction in deflection compared to the flat panel. In addition, a numerical modeling approach is introduced to investigate the influence of varying curvature on the blast response of laminated glass. These findings highlight the superior structural resistance of CLG, particularly in blast-resistant applications, making it a promising alternative for enhancing safety and structural integrity in high-performance glazing systems.