Blast absorbing cladding

Abstract

A blast resistant cladding includes a curtainwall arranged on a structure and defines a load path for transferring loads imparted on the curtainwall to the structure and an absorbing system positioned along the load path and configured for absorbing blast-type loads imparted on the curtainwall.

1 . A blast resistant cladding, comprising:
 a curtainwall coupled to a structure by an anchor system and defining a load path for transferring loads imparted on the curtainwall to the structure; and   an absorbing system positioned along the load path to absorb blast-type loads imparted on the curtainwall.   
     
     
         2 . The cladding of  claim 1  wherein the absorbing system comprises a normal force-type device to absorb and damp the forces through compression and tension. 
     
     
         3 . The cladding of  claim 2 , wherein the absorbing system comprises a damping pad positioned between a pair of distribution elements, the distribution elements including damping surfaces and each surface of the distribution element coupled to a corresponding surface of the anchor system. 
     
     
         4 . The cladding of  claim 3 , wherein the damping surfaces of the distribution elements are planar and the corresponding surface of the anchor system is planar. 
     
     
         5 . The cladding of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbing system comprises a shear force-type device to absorb and damp the forces through shear deformation. 
     
     
         6 . The cladding of  claim 5 , wherein the absorbing system comprises a damping pad positioned between a pair of distribution elements, the distribution elements including damping surfaces and each damping surface of the distribution element coupled to a corresponding surface of the anchor system. 
     
     
         7 . The cladding of  claim 6 , wherein the damping surfaces of the distribution elements are planar and the corresponding surface of the anchor system is planar. 
     
     
         8 . The cladding of  claim 6 , wherein the damping pad includes a plurality of damping layers, each layer separated by warp resisting elements. 
     
     
         9 . The cladding of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbing system comprises a ductility feature to dissipate forces through ductile deformation. 
     
     
         10 . The cladding of  claim 9 , wherein the ductility feature comprises a perforation positioned near an edge of the absorbing system to allow the edge to fail in a ductile manner under loading. 
     
     
         11 . A system for supporting exterior cladding on a structure and resisting blast forces imparted thereon, the system comprising:
 a cladding interface for fixedly engaging the cladding;   a structure interface for fixedly engaging the structure; and   an engagement system positioned between the cladding interface and structure interface, comprising:   a hanger system for vertically supporting the cladding; and   a bracing system for laterally supporting the cladding, the bracing system having an absorbing system for absorbing the blast forces.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the absorbing system comprises a damping pad positioned between two opposing distribution elements, the distribution elements including damping surfaces and each damping surface of the distribution element coupled to a corresponding surface of the bracing system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the surfaces of the distribution elements are planar and the surface of the bracing system is planar. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each damping surface of the distribution element is in a plane generally adjacent to and parallel to a plane defined by a corresponding surface of the bracing system. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the bracing system is a shear force-type system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the damping pad is oriented generally orthogonally to an exterior surface of the cladding. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the damping pad comprises two damping layers positioned between the distribution elements with a warp resisting element positioned between the two damping layers. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the damping pad comprises three damping layers with two warp resistant elements positioned therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the bracing system is a normal force-type system. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the damping pad is oriented generally parallel to an exterior surface of the cladding. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the absorbing system is a ductile failure-type system. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the absorbing system comprises a ductility feature. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the ductility feature includes a plurality of slots separated by ductile partitions and the slots fail in a ductile manner. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of slots are arranged in a chevron pattern, the chevron pattern comprising two legs. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the ductility feature includes a circular perforation arranged in the gap between the legs of the chevron pattern. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of slots are arranged adjacent to one another. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the ductility feature includes at least one circular perforation. 
     
     
         28 . A blast resistant cladding, comprising:
 a curtainwall arranged on a structure and defining a load path for transferring blast-type loads imparted on the curtainwall to the structure; and   a means for absorbing blast-type loads imparted on the curtainwall.