Experimental and computational study on strain localization of laminated glass polymeric interlayer materials

Recent explosions have prompted researchers to investigate the vulnerability of civil structures, leading to an increased demand for blast-resistant buildings. Laminated glass (LG) panels in glazed facades boost resilience, yet understanding glass fragment interaction with interlayers remains incomplete. This paper presents an integrated experimental-computational study on strain localization in LG polymeric interlayers to accurately simulate their response, addressing this gap. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed on the polymeric interlayer materials polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and SentryGlas® (SG), commonly used in the design of LG in blast-resistant glazing systems. Digital image correlation was used to characterize strain localization within the material. The experimental results were used to calibrate material model parameters to be used in the modeling of LG systems. A three-network viscoplastic (TNV) material model for SG interlayer was calibrated using PolymerFEM software. Yeoh hyperelastic material model parameters were calibrated for the quasistatic response of PVB. A finite element computational model was developed using Ansys LS-DYNA software and validated with experimental data. The study results showcase finite element modeling's ability to accurately predict both the hyperelastic response of PVB and the post-peak large strain behavior of SG interlayer materials by 8% and 3.6%, respectively.