Breaking of flat glass — Part 1: Size and distribution of particles from plain glass windows

Abstract An experimental rig was constructed, for the systematic breaking of windows, where a steel ball struck the pane in a controlled manner. For plain window glass the distance travelled by particles from the resulting debris was determined according to fragment size. The general form of the results agreed well with earlier findings. Replicate breakings were then performed to establish the reproducibility of the method. By combining the data for replicates for particular size ranges, smooth relationships were demonstrated between the number of particles and the distance travelled. The distribution of the glass particles radially, which was size dependent, was also studied.