Equivalent Double-Layer Model for a Laminated Glass: A Proof of Concept

Abstract Accurate and efficient analysis of ship and offshore glass structures is important because they are typically large and complex, and analysis time is often limited. Therefore, this article proposes an finite element (FE) modeling concept for analyzing laminated glass plates. The laminate glass increases the safety of windows thanks to the interlayer that joins two glass panes together, retaining fragments in case of breakage. The theory we use in this study follows the formulation from existing literature for sandwich plates with thick faces. We call this the equivalent double-shell model for laminated glass. The concept is validated against a full 3D solid-shell FE model, and the agreement is good regarding maximum deflection and stresses. Hence, using such a concept in analyzing actual large glass structures, for example, as part of a ship global model, becomes less computationally heavy.