Dynamic Modeling of Triple Insulated Glazing Units under Blast Loading using WINGARD

Abstract

Triple-insulated glazing units (TGUs) are an emerging class of architectural glazing systems offering compact configurations, superior energy efficiency, and enhanced thermal performance while exhibiting high blast resistance capabilities. Despite the growing adoption of TGUs in critical infrastructure and high-risk facilities, there remains a lack of widely available modelling tools capable of efficiently predicting their nonlinear dynamic response under blast loading. Although well-established for modeling monolithic and double-insulated glazing unit (DGU) systems to blast loading, WINGARD does not natively support TGU configurations, posing a significant barrier for engineers designing such blast-resistant façades. This study proposes a simplified methodology for representing a TGU as an equivalent DGU system within WINGARD to comply with General Services Administration (GSA) glazing hazard-rating criteria. The methodology preserves the mass, stiffness, and energy-dissipation characteristics of TGUs while remaining compatible with WINGARD’s input framework. Comparison made against limited experimental data demonstrates that the methodology captures the dominant blast response characteristics of TGU systems. The findings provide a practical, quick-running methodology for engineers to assess TGU blast performance using WINGARD.