Show us your crack (windshields)

[Adam-Oz]

I was shocked at how much glass covered me and the car. I could feel the slight sting of glass all over my face and even shards of glass when I ran my fingers thru straight after the impact. Here are some more pictures.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

I was shocked at how much glass covered me and the car. I could feel the slight sting of glass all over my face and even shards of glass when I ran my fingers thru straight after the impact. Here are some more pictures.

Was it just a rock strike? It looks way worse than that - crazy!!! Glad you’re OK but that is really scary

 

[Adam-Oz]

Was it just a rock strike? It looks way worse than that - crazy!!! Glad you’re OK but that is really scary

Yes just a rock strike.

I would expect that current standards on the safety of the laminated glass for a front windscreen should be sufficient to protect the driver from glass spray. I understand that all design standards are based around parameters however this wasn’t a situation that would be unexpected on Australian roads. In fact I would say that this is typical of most country highway situations in this country and that the safety of our cars can meet such typical driving requirements.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Yes just a rock strike.

I would expect that current standards on the safety of the laminated glass for a front windscreen should be sufficient to protect the driver from glass spray. I understand that all design standards are based around parameters however this wasn’t a situation that would be unexpected on Australian roads. In fact I would say that this is typical of most country highway situations in this country and that the safety of our cars can meet such typical driving requirements.

That’s wild

 

[Shopkeep]

Yes just a rock strike.

I would expect that current standards on the safety of the laminated glass for a front windscreen should be sufficient to protect the driver from glass spray. I understand that all design standards are based around parameters however this wasn’t a situation that would be unexpected on Australian roads. In fact I would say that this is typical of most country highway situations in this country and that the safety of our cars can meet such typical driving requirements.

How big was the rock and at what speed was the impact?

 

[Adam-Oz]

How big was the rock and at what speed was the impact?

Small rock probably 1-2cm and speed was on a 100km highway.

 

[Adam-Oz]

The amount of glass missing from the inside layers is quite substantial. Explains why I felt covered in glass.

 

[Adam-Oz]

You see the initial impact point isn’t any bigger than about 1cm.

 

[Shopkeep]

You see the initial impact point isn’t any bigger than about 1cm.

Hard to say if this is abnormal or not. Probably the worst impact posted here to date, but depending on the angle of impact, the speed and mass of the rock and its hardness maybe the windscreen has done everything it can to maintain its integrity and prevent the rock entering the passenger compartment and impacting you directly.

 

[Adam-Oz]

Very true and I suppose anecdotally I am thinking that I have had many many experiences of being hit by rocks large enough to crack my windscreen., but the amount of glass that has been expelled from the rear of the impact and inside surface of my windscreen is something I have never encountered before. The front is still quite intact but the rear impact zone is completely hollowed out which is not what I would have expected from laminated glass.

 

[Shopkeep]

Very true and I suppose anecdotally I am thinking that I have had many many experiences of being hit by rocks large enough to crack my windscreen., but the amount of glass that has been expelled from the rear of the impact and inside surface of my windscreen is something I have never encountered before. The front is still quite intact but the rear impact zone is completely hollowed out which is not what I would have expected from laminated glass.

It would have made an incredible sound. I hope they sold spare underpants at that servo.

 

[MattA]

Very true and I suppose anecdotally I am thinking that I have had many many experiences of being hit by rocks large enough to crack my windscreen., but the amount of glass that has been expelled from the rear of the impact and inside surface of my windscreen is something I have never encountered before. The front is still quite intact but the rear impact zone is completely hollowed out which is not what I would have expected from laminated glass.

Are you sure you were hit by a rock and not shot at, ( said in jest) that’s insane and never seen anything like it and have traveled 1000’s kms of Aussie dirt and outback roads

 

[DenisM]

Glad you're ok Adam, a frightening experience, especially the manner in which it occurred.

The phenomenon where the glass shattered from the opposite side of the (rock?) strike is referred to as "spalling". Basically it's the result of a shockwave from impact travelling through the glass and dislodging material from the opposite surface.

The reason I knew about this principle was a practical demo I witnessed 35+ years ago at a demonstration day for civilian defence contractors on the effects of particular anti-tank ammunition which was designed to hit the tank but not pierce the armour, rather to "squash" against the structure and generate a massive shockwave which caused the other side of the armour plate to delaminate and shower the unfortunate crew (of crash dummies) inside with thousands of molten shards.... (a wonderful example of man's inhumanity to man...but I digress ...and noted to self not to volunteer for the armoured cavalry!!!)

There appears to my albeit uninformed understanding a potential product liability issue here. If you get the screen replaced by OB's they might be able to provide anecdotal comment as to whether or not this is a common occurrence across the industry with laminated screens in general.
If it's not common, and you are so inclined, Ineos Australia might be worth contacting ...they might even be interested in examining the windscreen...).... just a thought.

 

[Tazzieman]

Worth a read

Asymmetrically strengthened glass

 

[CRH]

The amount of glass missing from the inside layers is quite substantial. Explains why I felt covered in glass.

I would contact IA directly, try Lynne too. This doesn't seem right.

I had a similar looking impact on my Abarth the other week, also caused a large crack but no glass came loose on the inside. Admittedly I was not going as fast but I did see dark object kicked up fro a car going in the opposite direction.

 

[Adam-Oz]

It would have made an incredible sound. I hope they sold spare underpants at that servo.

Definitely was an unexpected shock!

 

[Adam-Oz]

Are you sure you were hit by a rock and not shot at, ( said in jest) that’s insane and never seen anything like it and have traveled 1000’s kms of Aussie dirt and outback roads

Yes likewise, after decades of travelling on some terrible roads all over and experiencing lots of cracked windscreens I have never been sprayed in the face with glass like this. Still finding shards of glass in my hair from last night.

 

[Adam-Oz]

Are you sure you were hit by a rock and not shot at, ( said in jest) that’s insane and never seen anything like it and have traveled 1000’s kms of Aussie dirt and outback roads

Yes likewise, after decades of travelling on some terrible roads all over and experiencing lots of cracked win

Glad you're ok Adam, a frightening experience, especially the manner in which it occurred.

The phenomenon where the glass shattered from the opposite side of the (rock?) strike is referred to as "spalling". Basically it's the result of a shockwave from impact travelling through the glass and dislodging material from the opposite surface.

The reason I knew about this principle was a practical demo I witnessed 35+ years ago at a demonstration day for civilian defence contractors on the effects of particular anti-tank ammunition which was designed to hit the tank but not pierce the armour, rather to "squash" against the structure and generate a massive shockwave which caused the other side of the armour plate to delaminate and shower the unfortunate crew (of crash dummies) inside with thousands of molten shards.... (a wonderful example of man's inhumanity to man...but I digress ...and noted to self not to volunteer for the armoured cavalry!!!)

There appears to my albeit uninformed understanding a potential product liability issue here. If you get the screen replaced by OB's they might be able to provide anecdotal comment as to whether or not this is a common occurrence across the industry with laminated screens in general.
If it's not common, and you are so inclined, Ineos Australia might be worth contacting ...they might even be interested in examining the windscreen...).... just a thought.

I was going to save the windscreen and consider contacting a lab to run some tests on the glass. It might be a once off defect, who knows, but I think it’s worth investigating further.

 

[Adam-Oz]

I think there are three simple questions worth considering in light of what I experienced.

1. What contributed to the glass shattering on the drivers side as a result of this impact.
2. Was the design parameters and performance specification of the front windscreen in line with what actually occurred.
3. Under what circumstances will this occurrence be repeated again? (Hopefully not something that happens to anyone)

 

[Shopkeep]

Not sure you need the Spanish Inquisition, object of certain size and mass traveling at speed hits almost flat & near vertical windscreen at 90 degree angle of impact and penetrates outer glass layer and contacts sandwich laminate film. Laminate flexes and prevents full penetration of object but impacts with inner glass layer which partially shatters. Random and highly unlikely but still statistically possible outcome.