- Author
- Norville, H. S. | Smith, M. L. | King. K. W.
- Title
- Survey of Window Glass Broken by the Oklahoma City Bomb on April 19, 1995.
- Coporate
- Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, TX
- Keywords
- explosion | glass | surveys | windows | bombs (ordnance)
- Identifiers
- glass breakage; Alfred P. Murrah Federal Office Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, April 19, 1995
- Abstract
- Glass Research and Testing Laboratory (GRTL) investigators went to Oklahoma City to survey the extent of the window glass breakage. Upon arrival, the investigators found a large area surrounding the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building sealed by local and state police to prevent public entry during the investigation of the crime scene and cleanup. The survey began with buildings in proximity to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The area around the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was sealed with a second, internal perimeter through which GRTL investigators had to gain admittance. On Thursday, GRTL investigators concentrated their survey on damage within the internal perimeter and one block north of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. On Friday, the survey was expanded to encompass the area within the outer perimeter. After completing the survey of glass breakage within the outer perimeter, investigators continued their survey on foot in the downtown area surrounding the outer sealed perimeter, where cleanup of broken glass was well underway. Finally, on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, GRTL investigators surveyed broken glass damage at greater distances from ground zero via automobile to characterize roughly the limits of the glass breakage. Investigating window glass breakage has many purposes. Knowledge of the glass breakage patterns at locations not in immediate proximity to ground zero will aid in the determination of blast impulse. Data from this investigation also will provide insights into the performance of various glass types and constructions. These insights will give guidance in designing windows and window glass constructions to resist blasts of this nature. Finally, breakage data can be correlated to injuries to aid in the formulation of models of risk and lethality associated with blasts. Investigations such as this lie within the general scope of the mission of GRTL.