The finite deformation approximate solution and pressure–impulse​ diagram of an elastic–brittle rectangular glass plate under pressure loading

Glass windows and curtain walls are increasingly used in modern buildings. To judge whether a glass panel fails under a certain blast, the pressure–impulse (P–I) diagram is necessary. In contrast to the commonly adopted P–I diagrams given by the single degree of freedom theory or the high-cost finite element (FE) simulations, a P–I diagram is given in this study by employing a proposed approximate analytical solution. The theoretical solution of the finite deformation rectangular plate under pressure loading is based on the traditional von Kármán equations and the uniform stress assumption. Through comparisons with the corresponding FE simulations, experimental data, and internationally acknowledged standards, the solution is confirmed to be both accurate and efficient. Furthermore, the P–I diagram given is also confirmed to be both reliable and efficient when compared with the experimental data.