There is growing awareness of the need to protect building occupants from the effects of malevolent acts, extreme weather, and accidental explosions in plants or residential dwellings. A large percentage of injuries and fatalities caused by terrorist bombings have been attributed to flying window glass. Numerous fixes have been proposed from the empirical database and field testing by the Dept of State and other agencies. Some fixes are being implemented by these. This Sandia project explores enhanced glass performance that can reduce injuries and how the glass affects the overall building response. Sandia have conducted initial blast tests on window glass and there are indications that certain designed flaws and engineered features, including "controlled" fracture properties, can be applied that could result in fewer fatalities and injuries.
