ASTM D4577-00(2003)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load
Standard Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is designed to determine the resistance of a shipping container to a vertically applied constant load for either a specified time or to failure. The test method may also, include, for example, a package of a shipping container, palletized or unitized loads.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.
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Designation: D 4577 – 00 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Method for
Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant
Load
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4577; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 load—the force in newtons applied to a body.
1.1 This test method is designed to determine the resistance
3.2.2 constant load—a load that is invariable or unchang-
of a shipping container to a vertically applied constant load for
ing.
either a specified time or to failure. The test method may also,
3.2.3 static load—an imposed stationary force, constant in
include, for example, a package of a shipping container,
magnitude, direction, and sense.
palletized or unitized loads.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 In the distribution system for many products there is a
responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and
phase wherein the packaged product may be stored for a period
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
of time in a manner such that one or more containers are
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
superimposed one upon the other. The bottom package is thus
For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.
continually stressed with a constant load.
2. Referenced Documents 4.2 This test method subjects a container, empty or filled, to
a predetermined static load, and to specified atmospheric
2.1 ASTM Standards:
conditions, if required.
D 642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resis-
tance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit
5. Apparatus
Loads
5.1 The testing apparatus shall be capable of imposing a
D 644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper and
constant load on the test specimen and may be hydraulically,
Paperboard by Oven Drying
pneumatically, or mechanically activated, similar to that shown
D 685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products
in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. It shall contain two platens, or suitable
for Testing
framework and fixturing, one stationary and one movable in
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
the vertical direction. The one platen should be swiveled and
ments
should have proper mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic link-
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
ages to permit top-to-bottom loading. If the floor where the test
Packaging Components for Testing
is to be conducted is subject to severe vibration, it may be
D 4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
necessary to vibration-isolate the test apparatus. The test
ment of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
device should have a timer for measuring the period of time
3. Terminology required to cause container failure and means such as a dial
indicator to measure box deformation (inches or millimetres)
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for the packaging and
while under load, or an autographic recording device that
distribution environments are found in Terminology D 996.
records load and deformation over a period of time.
5.2 Closing Equipment for Fiberboard Boxes—When
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on empty boxes are to be tested, suitable closing facilities such as
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.22 on Handling and
sealing boards and proper adhesive for closing the flaps of box
Transportation.
specimens shall be used. See Test Method D 642.
Current edition approved April 10, 2000. Published June 2000. Originally
5.3 Conditioning Apparatus—Adequate facilities shall be
published as D 4577 – 86. Last previous edition D 4577 – 94.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
provided to maintain a conditioned atmosphere of temperature
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
and humidity as required for the purpose of the test.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4577 – 00 (2003)
FIG. 1 Containers Under Constant Load
5.4 Miscellaneous Equipment—Drying oven, scales, knife, 6.1.2 The testing apparatus should have load arrestors or
saws, etc., for use in determination of the moisture content or safety interlocks to prevent complete crushing of the container
for making other supplementary tests of the materials from after initial failure.
which the containers are made.
7. Test Specimens and Number of Tests
6. Safety Precautions
7.1 The containers being tested shall be complete in all
6.1 Performance of a test should never be considered respects. Depending on the purpose of the test, interior packing
without regard to safety. Some apparent precautions against may or may not be included. No related bracing material within
injuries are: the boxes that will give false results as to sample behavior shall
6.1.1 Care and caution should be observed while placing the be used. Tests may be made on containers with or without
shipping container filled or unfilled on the testing apparatus. contents as prescribed. Packed containers should be closed and
D 4577 – 00 (2003)
FIG. 2 Individual Containers Under Constant Load
secured in the same manner as will be used in preparing them will accomplish this, but any method that will produce the
for shipment (for example, tape, strapping).
same results may be used.
7.2 Performance normally should be based on tests of not
fewer than five representative specimens of a given size and
9. Conditioning
type of container.
9.1 When required, the container should be conditioned for
8. Closing Fiberboard Containers Using Adhesive the static load test by exposure to fixed or controlled variable
conditions of temperature and humidity.
8.1 Close the box specimen so as to avoid distortions that
may affect its loadbearing ability. The method of preparing the 9.1.1 Where applicable, a special atmosphere selected from
test specimen as described in the Annex of Test Method D 642 those specified in Practice D 4332 may be used.
D 4577 – 00 (2003)
9.2 The test container shall be preconditioned in the desired 11.4.2 Wood Container— Determine the moisture content
atmosphere for such a time as is necessary to bring the of wood at the end of the test in accordance with Test Methods
container into equilibrium with that atmosphere and using the D 4442.
techniques given in Practice D 685.
12. Calculation
10. Acceptance Criteria 12.1 This test produces time-to-failure data that does not
conform to the normal or Gaussian distribution: The logarithms
10.1 Acceptance criteria must be established prior to testing
of the data, natural or common, do tend to be normally
and should consider the required condition of the product at
distributed. Before analysis, transform the data using the
receipt. The organizations conducting the test may choose any
following equation:
acceptance criteria suitable for their purpose. It is advisable to
compare test results from proposed containers with the test C 5 log D (1)
results on similar containers whose shipping history is known.
where:
10.2 In many cases, the acceptance criteria of a package that
C = transformed datum, and
has been subjected to the test plan can be one of the following:
D = observed datum.
Criterion 1—Product is damage-free.
12.2 The arithmetic mean of the transformed data is the
Criterion 2—Package is intact.
recommended measure of central tendency. The antilog of this
Other acceptance criteria, including provision for
...
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