Impact Resistance Test of Cladding by Using Gravel

Multiple reports have emphasized the significance of protecting cladding from windborne debris or falling cinders during strong winds or volcanic eruptions. Japan has no available building codes or standards for protecting the cladding against the windborne debris or falling cinders. In contrast, certain specifications for cladding performance when impacted by windborne debris, along with associated testing methods, are outlined in American, ISO, and JIS standards. A series of impact tests was conducted on selected specimens, like cladding used for residential projects, to evaluate their impact resistance performance. This study presents the outcomes of the impact performance tests, including their destruction modes, for representative materials of cladding like float glass, Japanese tiled roof, batten-seam roof, and slate-tiled roof. The tests were conducted using an air cannon as the gravel-propulsion device. The impact-resistant speed corresponding to the mass of gravel was clarified for the specimens.