Experimental Investigation into the Strength of Single Sided Silicone Glazing Joints Under Blast Loading

Abstract

An experimental study has taken place to quantify the strength of single sided structural silicone glazing joints under blast loading. The structural silicone specimens in this experiment were tested using a high-speed servo-hydraulic test machine at varying rates, representative of that experienced in a blast. Tests were conducted at displacement rates of 1m/s, 2m/s and 4m/s. The load was applied at two different angles of 30° and 45°. The tests were carried out on samples with different bite depths. The load was measured and the strength of the silicone joint was calculated at different testing rates. For a given testing rate and loading angle, the strength was found to be constant for different bite depths. The strength also showed an escalation at higher displacement rates. For the loading angles tested, there was no correlation found between the angle of loading and the strength. Through the measurement of displacement during the test, the work done on the silicone joint was also calculated.