BEHAVIOR OF WINDOW GLASS PANELS DURING EARTHQUAKES

The seismic behaviour of window glass panels is investigated. Glass da mage observed in past earthquakes and previous research on the seismic performance of glass components are reviewed, Seismic design code pro cedures proposed for mitigating the damage sustained by glass componen ts are evaluated. Analytical procedures are developed for calculating the in-plane deformation capacity and out-of-plane resistance of windo w glass panels subjected to seismic excitation. Simple practical proce dures are proposed for the design of glass panels against earthquake e ffects, These procedures account for the interstorey drift displacemen ts and floor responses of multistorey buildings as well as the mechani cal properties of window glass. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.