The book deals with the stochastic strength of glass and the application to the automotive windscreen. A finite element model is derived. This is then validated using known phenomena in connection with the fracture behaviour of glass. After the strength of a windscreen has been intensively investigated, experiments with wind windscreen, experiments with windscreens are simulated by means of the model. Finally, the probability of a pedestrian suffering a head injury on impact with a windscreen is predicted. of a pedestrian hitting a windscreen is predicted, taking into account the stochastic breakage behaviour of glass. Up to now, this has not been taken into account in EuroNCAP crash tests, for example.

A statistical modelling method for simulating the fracture behaviour of acrylic glass is presented using the application case of an automotive rear side window. The collection of the necessary measurement data and their analysis is described. The aim is to give guidance to users of comparable materials. Finally, the model is integrated into the finite element simulation of a head impact test of the pane. Based on the resulting spread of the head injury criterion, the relevance of a statistical material characterisation for product safety is discussed.

This book addresses one of the most important components for pedestrian safety in vehicles – laminated windshields. It includes detailed real-world material characterization results for laminated glass and testing methodologies, constitutive models, and step-by-step numerical simulation modeling and simulation methods. As such, the book provides readers a thorough understanding of the mechanical behaviors of laminated glass and windshields. It also presents fundamental test data, analysis methodologies and essential insights into laminated glass safety design and mechanical behavior prediction. The book addresses the needs of researchers, engineers and postgraduate students in the fields of automotive engineering, mechanical engineering and related areas.

A method for incorporating and comparing stochastic scatter of macroscopic parameters in crash simulations is developed in the present work and applied on a 30 wt.% short glass fiber reinforced polypropylene. Therefore, a statistical testing plan on the basis of three point bending tests with 30 samples for each configuration is carried out. The tests are conducted at 0°, 30°, 45° and 90° orientation angles and at strain rates of 0.021/s and 85/s. The obtained results are evaluated statistically by means of probability distribution functions. An orthotropic elastic plastic material model is utilized for the numerical investigations. Monte Carlo Simulations with variations in macroscopic parameters are run to emulate the stochastic rupture behavior of the experiments.

The occupant injuries in the side impact crash and rollover are more severe than those in frontal impacts as the occupant is partially or fully ejected through the side window and comes in contact with foreign objects such as poles, trees, other vehicles, etc. Since ejections are mainly caused by failure of side window glass conventionally made of tempered glass, the vehicle side window glass is increasingly being replaced with laminated glazing by the automotive industry. Laminated glass does not break upon impact and helps in keeping the occupant from ejecting out of the car in side impact or rollover. In this research, the impact injury potential to the human head is studied and quantified for both tempered glass and laminated glass windows. First, the finite element (FE) models of tempered glass and laminated glass are developed in Hypermesh. These FE models are quasi-statically tested with a hybrid III dummy free-motion head-form (FMH). Force versus displacement graphs are plotted and validated with the results obtained from a physical static experiment. A series of impact test simulations are conducted on both tempered and laminated glass with the H-III FMH at varying impact speeds. Acceleration and the head injury criteria (HIC) values are determined for each impact test simulation. The simulations clearly indicate that the tempered glass fails upon impact and the FMH ejects; however the laminated glass does not break and contains the FMH. A second series of impact test simulations involve a FE model of a rigid pole placed behind the two glass types to study the secondary head impacts. The results show that the tempered glass breaks and allows head to strike the pole with high head injury potential, whereas the laminated glass contains the head. Based on the results, this study demonstrates the laminated glass acts as a shield between the occupant and the surrounding objects and protects the occupant from ejecting.

This book attempts to redress this issue by providing an overview of the recent developments in this field thereby providing a basis for the understanding of the structural performance and design of glass in buildings. Each chapter draws on the latest developments in practice and research and contains contributions from various international glass experts. The mix of general and specialist content ranging from rules of thumb to fracture mechanics and novel applications to post-breakage performance make this book useful to practitioners and researchers. Furthermore, the text is supplemented by tables of the major codes of practice and by an extensive list of references.