Experimental investigation on damage and wave propagation of PVB laminated glazing structures under impact loading

Experimental investigation on the damage and wave propagation characteristics in PVB laminated glass panels subjected to impact loading was conducted. By applying different impact energies, the effect of two projectile configurations, a wooden post and steel ball, was studied. The effect of impact location was also investigated. The dynamic response of the panels was measured at different locations on the test panels using strain gauges. Damage and transient response and wave propagation characteristics of test panels were reported and compared. The results showed that flexural wave was the predominant wave in the response. In addition, in-plane compressive wave was also observed. It was also shown that while the projectile contact area affected the maximum transient response and crack propagation characteristics, it had a limited effect on the perforation threshold. For panels impacted at the corners, coupled strain waves were created by wave reflection processes when the waves reached the panel boundaries. Moreover, the impact velocity had a pronounced effect on peak strain and strain rates of test panels.