ASTM D2394-05(2011)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Simulated Service Testing of Wood and Wood-Base Finish Flooring
Standard Test Methods for Simulated Service Testing of Wood and Wood-Base Finish Flooring
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The test methods presented herein are intended to provide both a factual and comparative means of appraising the suitability of finish flooring. The procedures developed simulate some conditions of use that may require either maintenance beyond that considered normal or replacement of the floor surface material.
It is important for some of the evaluations that the substrate to be used beneath the finish flooring be duplicated because the type and degree of support will have a direct influence on the value obtained from test. For example, in some present-day construction, low-density materials are used for sound-deadening immediately below the finish flooring. The way this substrate distributes loading and absorbs energy will have an influence on evaluations such as those in rolling and concentrated loads.
The test methods presented herein may be used to compare different finish floorings as to their resistance to severe and ordinary service loads and also may serve as the means to set specification limits. The properties obtained by these test methods are needed in addition to such basic material properties as stiffness, strength, hardness, and dimensional stability.
Not all test may be required for any specific investigation. There may be an interrelation between two tests, and when it has been demonstrated what the interrelation is, a complete evaluation will only be required as a final stage of a study. In each instance, therefore, it will be necessary to determine which evaluations should be made to fulfill the objectives.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for measuring the performance of finish flooring under the following service loadings and conditions:
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D2394 − 05 (Reapproved 2011)
Standard Test Methods for
Simulated Service Testing of Wood and Wood-Base Finish
Flooring
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2394; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope sound-deadening immediately below the finish flooring. The
way this substrate distributes loading and absorbs energy will
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for measuring the
have an influence on evaluations such as those in rolling and
performance of finish flooring under the following service
concentrated loads.
loadings and conditions:
3.3 The test methods presented herein may be used to
Section
Loading Tests
compare different finish floorings as to their resistance to
Concentrated Loading 7
severe and ordinary service loads and also may serve as the
Floor Surface Indentation from Small Area Loads 12
means to set specification limits. The properties obtained by
Falling-Ball Indentation 18
Rolling Load 23
thesetestmethodsareneededinadditiontosuchbasicmaterial
Mechanical Tests
properties as stiffness, strength, hardness, and dimensional
Abrasion Resistance 28
stability.
Coefficient of Friction 33
Moisture Tests
3.4 Not all test may be required for any specific investiga-
Surface Wetting 38
tion. There may be an interrelation between two tests, and
2. Referenced Documents
when it has been demonstrated what the interrelation is, a
complete evaluation will only be required as a final stage of a
2.1 ASTM Standards:
study. In each instance, therefore, it will be necessary to
D1037 Test Methods for Evaluating Properties of Wood-
determine which evaluations should be made to fulfill the
Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials
objectives.
E72 Test Methods of Conducting Strength Tests of Panels
for Building Construction
4. Test Specimens
3. Significance and Use
4.1 The number of specimens to be chosen for test and the
method of their selection depend on the variability of the finish
3.1 The test methods presented herein are intended to
flooring material and on the purpose of the particular tests
providebothafactualandcomparativemeansofappraisingthe
under consideration, so no general rule can be given to cover
suitability of finish flooring. The procedures developed simu-
all instances. It is recommended that, whenever possible,
late some conditions of use that may require either mainte-
sufficient replications be made to establish reliable mean
nance beyond that considered normal or replacement of the
values. Even for the most simple evaluation, a replication of
floor surface material.
three tests for each property is recommended.
3.2 It is important for some of the evaluations that the
substrate to be used beneath the finish flooring be duplicated
5. Control of Moisture Content and Temperature
because the type and degree of support will have a direct
5.1 Wood and wood-base materials are hygroscopic. The
influenceonthevalueobtainedfromtest.Forexample,insome
moisture content at time of test will influence values obtained
present-day construction, low-density materials are used for
from tests. Therefore, material for test shall be conditioned to
essentially constant weight at a condition of 65 6 1 % relative
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on humidity and a temperature of 68 6 6°F (20 6 3°C) (Note 1
Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental
and Note 2). If there is any departure from this recommended
Test Methods and Properties.
condition, it shall be so stated in the report. No tests shall be
Current edition approved March 1, 2011. Published March 2011. Originally
made on any material when it is not essentially stable in
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D2394 – 05. DOI:
10.1520/D2394-05R11.
moisture content.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
NOTE 1—In following the recommendation that the temperature be
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on controlled to 68 6 6°F (20 6 3°C) it should be understood that it is
the ASTM website. desirable to maintain the temperature as nearly constant as possible at
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2394 − 05 (2011)
some temperature within this range.
9.1.1 Steel Disk Loading Tool—The steel disk loading tool
NOTE 2—Requirements for temperature and relative humidity vary for
shall be 1 in. (25 mm) in diameter with the circumference of
different materials and different conditions of use. The condition above
the end rounded to a radius of 0.05 in. (1.3 mm). The loading
meets the standard condition for wood and wood-base materials, and for
tool shall be provided with a collar to engage the movable tip
finish flooring represents the near-maximum seasonal condition for most
of the micrometer dial for measuring deformation under load,
locations. The amount of damage from the various loadings is usually
greater at higher moisture contents than at lower ones.
andshallbefabricatedwithameansoffasteningittotheplaten
of the testing machine or loading device.
6. Report
9.1.2 Deformation Gage—The deformation gage shall con-
6.1 The data recorded shall include, in addition to the actual
sist of a dial micrometer mounted on the three-point supported
test results and data required specifically from each test, a
bridge. The dial micrometer shall be of the kind with divisions
complete description of the material, sampling procedure, and
of0.001in.(0.025mm).Thebridgeshallbeofsufficientlength
record of any special treatment or conditioning of the flooring
so that the distance between the single-point support and a line
material.Any special details concerning the material under test
between the pair of point supports is at least 12 in. (305 mm).
that may have a bearing on the results shall also be recorded.
The bridge support shall have a slot in the center of its span of
sufficientopeningtocleartheloadingtooltopermitplacingthe
CONCENTRATED LOADING
micrometer directly adjacent to the disk loading tool with the
stem end in contact with the collar.
7. Scope
9.1.3 Loading Device—Atesting machine with a platen area
7.1 Specimens shall be subjected to the concentrated load-
sufficiently large to accommodate the 18-in. (457-mm) square
ing test to obtain a measure of the resistance of the finish
or other suitable loading device convenient for loading and
flooring to heavy loads produced by such articles of furniture
measuring the amount of loading to 1000 lb (or 4.45 kN) at the
as chests and pianos. This test procedure uses the same
prescribed rate shall be provided.
equipment and is essentially the same as the one described in
9.1.4 An indentation measuring tool, as required for the
Test Methods E72.
falling-ball indentation test (see 20.1.4) shall be provided for
determining the residual indentation from the loading to 1000
8. Test Specimen
lb (4.45 kN) 1 h after removal of load.
8.1 The size of the test specimen will depend on the size of
10. Procedure
components making up the finish flooring, but should be at
least 18 in. (457 mm) square. When the finish flooring is
10.1 Loading Points—Load points 1 and 2, for both square
prefabricated in parquet or tile form, the specimen shall consist
or rectangular parquet or tile form finish flooring, are illus-
of at least four such tiles attached to an underlayment, subfloor,
tratedinFig.1.Loadpoint1forthetileformofflooringisnear
or other substrate, using the same construction and technique
the corner, so that deformation under load at a corner can be
as will be used in the finished construction. When the flooring
determined. Load point 2 is provided to obtain an index of
is manufactured in strip form, the flooring shall be laid in
resistance to concentrated load at a point where the finish
courses over the subfloor and substrate so that end joints occur
flooring can distribute the load because of its inherent stiffness.
in the same manner as in actual construction.At least two such
Load point 2 should be at the approximate center of the tile
end joints shall occur near midwidth in the center one-half of
area, and when using a 12-in. (305-mm) deformation bridge,
the specimen. Fig. 1 shows the orientation for typical speci-
the bridge can be placed along the diagonal. Load point 1 for
mens using square and strip configurations of flooring.
stripflooringistosimulatetheloadingconditionpossiblewhen
the concentrated load comes at or near an end joint. Load point
9. Apparatus
2 simulates the condition that exists when loading is on a
9.1 The apparatus shall be assembled as shown in Fig. 2 and continuous strip of flooring but there is a joint in the adjacent
shall conform in the requirements for component parts as course of flooring. When strip flooring is less than 2 in. (51
described in 9.1.1 – 9.1.4. mm)wide,thepointofload2shallbecenteredonthestrip.For
other configurations of finish flooring, load point 1 should
correspond to the one producing maximum deformation under
load and point 2 the more average condition. In each instance,
the 1-in. (25-mm) diameter loading disk shall be centered over
the dimensioned point.
10.2 Loading—Apply the load continuously at a uniform
rate of movement of the loading tool of 0.10 in. (2.5 mm)/min.
Make at least ten simultaneous measurements of load and
deformationbetweenzeroloadand1000lb(4.45kN)(Note4).
After the load of 1000 lb (4.45 kN) has been applied, it shall be
removed immediately so that residual deformation can be
determined. Record any observed behavior of either the finish
flooring or the substrate during test.
NOTE 1—One in. equals 25.4 mm.
FIG. 1 Layout of Specimens for Concentrated Load Test NOTE 3—The testing machine speed used shall not vary by more than
D2394 − 05 (2011)
FIG. 2 Assembly for Concentrated Loading Test of Finish Flooring
650 % from that specified for a given test. The testing machine speed
floorings to determine which may have better service possi-
shall mean the free-running, or no load, crosshead speed for testing
bilities. Results obtained are qualitative rather than quantita-
machines of the mechanical-drive type and the loaded crosshead speed for
tive.
testing machines of the hydraulic-loading type.
NOTE 4—For some evaluations of finish flooring where possible use is
in commercial buildings, concentrated load evaluations may be desirable 13. Test Specimen
forloadsgreaterthan1000lb(4.45kN).Whenthisisso,thematerialshall
13.1 The test specimen shall be a composite of the various
be loaded first as specified and then, after residual deformation has been
floorings being evaluated.When the number of materials being
obtained, reloaded to the higher maximum load or failure.
evaluated exceeds the number that can be fabricated in a single
10.3 Residual Deformation—One h after the load has been
specimen, the different materials shall be distributed so that a
removed, measure the depth of residual indentation to the
representative number are included in each sample. Fig. 3
nearest 0.01 in. (0.25 mm), using the falling-ball indentation
shows the specimen in position for test and the apparatus used
measuring tool described in 20.1.4.
for imposing the concentrated loads on the specimen. Speci-
mens shall be approximately 9 in. (229 mm) wide and of any
11. Report
convenient length, so that the number of finish floorings being
11.1 The report shall include typical load-deformation
evaluatedcanbeaccommodated.Specimensshallbefabricated
curves for load points 1 and 2. Each deformation value for
with the same substrate and in the same manner as is to be used
1000 lb (4.45 kN) loading, and residual after loading was
in the application of the finished floor. When strip floorings are
removed, shall be presented. Any observations of behavior of
being evaluated, two sets of specimens shall be fabricated; one
either finish flooring or substrate or failures shall also be
with the long dimension of the pieces of flooring parallel to,
reported. Photographs showing nature of residual indentation
and one with the long direction of the flooring across the
after loading will be beneficial and should be included.
direction of movement of the studded roller. Cleats shall be
provided to prevent sliding of the specimens.
FLOOR SURFACE INDENTATION
FROM SMALL AREA LOADS
14. Apparatus
12. Scope
14.1 The apparatus shall be assembled as shown in Fig. 3
and shall conform in the requirements for component parts as
12.1 Specimens shall be subjected to the “indentation dam-
described in 14.1.1 – 14.1.3.
age from small area load test” to obtain a measure of the
14.1.1 Base—The base shall be a rigid supported unit that
resistancetosharp-edgedsmallarealoadings,suchaswomen’s
will not deflect measurably under the rolling load. The surface
“stiletto” heels, protruding nailheads on other shoes, and
of the base shall be slightly wider than the surface of the
indentation damage from small, hard objects on the surface
specimen, as is shown in Fig. 3.
either being stepped on or indented into the floor from rolling
loads. In some of these “point” loadings, unit stresses are 14.1.2 Roller—The roller shall be a hard maple (or equiva-
almost infinite. Some damage to the surface usually occurs. lent) cylinder 3 ⁄16 in. (97 mm) in diameter and approximately
The purpose of this evaluation is to compare by observing the 18 in. (457 mm) long. The roller shall be studded with boot
damage from this kind of loading, new finish flooring systems caulks (approximately 0.15 in. (4 mm) in diameter and
with those of established service performance, or two or more projecting approximately 0.2 in. (5 mm), including collar, from
D2394 − 05 (2011)
FIG. 3 Assembly for Tests of Floor-Surface Indentation from Small-Area Loads, Showing Loaded Maple Roller Studded with Boot
Caulks and Specimens Firmly Supported on Heavy Beam
surface of roller) 1 in. (25 mm) on center around the circum- of actual tested specimens (Fig. 4) are desirable and shall be
ference for an 8-in. (203-mm) width. Alternate rows of studs considered in reporting. In Fig. 4, material G can be considered
shallbestaggered.Theendsoftherollershallbeprovidedwith typical of a specimen showing none to minor damage; J is
arms for rolling it along the specimen and, either through moderate, H severe, and material I probably would be cons
...
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