Glass Expert Performs Failure Analysis of Bathroom Scale

A glass failure analysis was performed by glass failure expert witness to determine the reason the glass platform on a bathroom scale broke unexpedly. The platform is made of fully tempered glass, and it broke as the user was pushing it with her foot alongside the toilet. The top left photograph shows the condition of the scale when it was examined. The pieces were collected and placed in a cardboard box. The upper right photograph shows the origin of the failure. The location of the origin indicates that the corner of the scale hit a hard object and this caused the tempered glass platform to self destruct. It is important to remember that the edges of tempered glass are more vulnerable to damage and failure. Edges at corners are particularly vulnerable. A better design for the scale is to put a compliant "bumper" around the edge of the glass. This would absorb any impact and protect the platform edge.