Nonlinear dynamic response of window glass plates subjected to fluctuating wind pressures

Abstract It is common practice to analyze and design window glass units using an equivalent static wind pressure. Little is known with regard to the dynamic behavior of window glass units subjected to a fluctuating wind pressure. Here, a mathematical model is developed to determine this dynamic behavior. A random fluctuating wind pressure is simulated using the well known Davenport spectrum for wind velocity and Vaicaitis expression for generating discrete wind velocity-time data. For the analysis of the plate, the dynamic nonlinear von Karman plate equations are used. The dynamic finite difference model developed by Vallabhan and Selvam is modified to consider the response due to sample fluctuating wind pressures. Time dependent displacement and maximum tensile principal stress in two vibrating glass plates are the outcome of this analysis.