Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to study the stress‐strain behaviour of armorphous silica glass (a‐SiO2) at small time and length scales. Various amorphous states are generated by quenching molten SiO2 using a two‐body and a three‐body interaction potential. This quenching process is carried out for different cooling rates. The structural properties of a‐SiO2 are validated through a comparison with other numerical and experimental results. Finally, tensile tests are performed on a‐SiO2 until fracture occurs, and the cooling rate influence on the tensile strength is analysed. (© 2017 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)