Load resistance of trapezoidal window glass

Date

2001-12

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

Virtually all glass used in aircraft control tower cabs have a trapezoidal geometry. Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has no formal design methodology for trapezoidal window glass. The objective of the research presented herein consists of gaining insight into the behavior and load resistance of trapezoidal window glass. The research consisted of loading trapezoidal window glass specimens to fracture using a load that increased linearly with time, measuring the magnitude of loading at fracture and locating the fracture origin, and measuring the deflection of the window glass. Glass Research and Testing Laboratory (GRTL) staff at Texas Tech University tested one sample comprised of 13 monolithic glass specimens removed from Insulating Glass (IG) units and a second sample comprised of 8 Laminated Glass (LG)lites.

Analyses of failure load data indicate that load resistance of the monolithic sample falls below values that current design methodology predicts. Even so, the experimental load resistance data are not significantly lower than other experimental load resistance data. Experimental load resistance data from the laminated glass sample falls in line with values predicted by current design methodologies.

Description

Keywords

Glass, Windows

Citation