ASTM E935-00(2006)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Performance of Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
Standard Test Methods for Performance of Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods are intended to provide information from which applicable design data can be derived for the performance of metal railing systems and rails installed and fastened to structural elements of concrete, masonry, wood, and metal as well as related products. Typical floor-mounted railings are shown in Fig. 1.
FIG. 1 Front Views of Sections of Three Typical Railing Systems
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures to be followed in testing the performance of permanent metal railing systems (guard, stair, and ramp-rail systems) and rails (hand, wall, grab, and transfer rails) installed in and for agricultural, assembly, commercial, educational, industrial, institutional, recreational, and residential buildings.
1.2 These test methods are applicable to such railing systems and rails having major structural components made of metal, with their secondary components made of metal or other materials such as wood, plastic, and glass.
1.3 These test methods can be used to determine whether permanent metal railing systems and rails comply with anticipated performance requirements of the applicable specifications, codes, and standards, such as those described in Specification E 985.
1.4 Specifically, these test methods cover procedures for determining the static strength of metal railing systems and rails as structural elements when installed and fastened to concrete, masonry, wood, and metal as well as related products.
1.5 No consideration is given in these test methods to any possible deterioration of metal railing systems, rails, and connections, resulting from adverse environmental conditions. The performance of special tests covering this aspect may be desirable.
1.6 These test methods are limited to the application of concentrated loads described herein. Whenever given uniformly distributed loads are to be resisted by a railing system or rail in accordance with governing specifications, codes, and standards, the effects of such uniformly distributed loads on the member stresses shall be determined by calculation and the corresponding concentrated loads shall be given consideration during testing and data evaluation.
1.7 Should computations make it possible to provide the needed information, testing can be employed for verification.
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific hazard statement, see Note 0.
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: E935 − 00 (Reapproved2006)
Standard Test Methods for
Performance of Permanent Metal Railing Systems and Rails
for Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E935; 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 1.7 Should computations make it possible to provide the
needed information, testing can be employed for verification.
1.1 These test methods cover procedures to be followed in
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
testing the performance of permanent metal railing systems
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
(guard,stair,andramp-railsystems)andrails(hand,wall,grab,
only.
and transfer rails) installed in and for agricultural, assembly,
commercial, educational, industrial, institutional, recreational,
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and residential buildings.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 These test methods are applicable to such railing sys-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tems and rails having major structural components made of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific
metal, with their secondary components made of metal or other
hazard statement, see Note 1.
materials such as wood, plastic, and glass.
1.3 These test methods can be used to determine whether
2. Referenced Documents
permanent metal railing systems and rails comply with antici-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pated performance requirements of the applicable
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
specifications, codes, and standards, such as those described in
E575 Practice for Reporting Data from Structural Tests of
Specification E985.
Building Constructions, Elements, Connections, and As-
1.4 Specifically, these test methods cover procedures for
semblies
determining the static strength of metal railing systems and
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
rails as structural elements when installed and fastened to
E985 Specification for Permanent Metal Railing Systems
concrete,masonry,wood,andmetalaswellasrelatedproducts.
and Rails for Buildings
E1481 Terminology of Railing Systems and Rails for Build-
1.5 No consideration is given in these test methods to any
ings
possible deterioration of metal railing systems, rails, and
connections, resulting from adverse environmental conditions.
3. Terminology
The performance of special tests covering this aspect may be
desirable.
3.1 Definitions:For definitions of terms used in these test
methods, see Terminology E631 and Terminology E1481.
1.6 These test methods are limited to the application of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
concentrated loads described herein. Whenever given uni-
3.2.1 infill—in the context of this standard, the balusters of
formly distributed loads are to be resisted by a railing system
abalusterrailingsystemandthestructuralaswellasdecorative
or rail in accordance with governing specifications, codes, and
elements, including panels, mesh, and similar elements, of a
standards,theeffectsofsuchuniformlydistributedloadsonthe
panel railing system, located between top and bottom rails and
member stresses shall be determined by calculation and the
posts; to serve the twofold purpose of (1) protecting bodies
corresponding concentrated loads shall be given consideration
from penetrating and falling through the baluster and panel
during testing and data evaluation.
infillareasand (2)providingaspecifiedresistancetohorizontal
thrusts as are potentially encountered within the infill area.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.56
on Performance of Railing Systems and Glass for Floors and Stairs. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2006. Published April 2006. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ε1
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E935 – 00 . DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0935-00R06. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E935 − 00 (2006)
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Infills shall be designed in such a way 7. Sampling
as to deter climbing of the railing system.
7.1 Test a minimum of three representative replicate speci-
3.2.2 infill area—the field of baluster and panel railing
mens of each type of railing system or rail when performance
systems, bordered by rails, including top, intermediate, and
testing in accordance with either Test Method A or B is
bottom rails, and posts, including end and intermediate posts.
required (see Section 5).
7.2 Test a minimum of three representative replicate speci-
4. Significance and Use
mens of each type of infill when performance testing in
4.1 These test methods are intended to provide information
accordance with either Test Method C or D is required (see
from which applicable design data can be derived for the
Section 5).
performance of metal railing systems and rails installed and
7.3 If sequential testing of the same specimen in accordance
fastened to structural elements of concrete, masonry, wood,
with Test MethodsA, B, C, and D is permissible, Test Method
and metal as well as related products. Typical floor-mounted
B or D shall be followed by Test Method A or C.
railings are shown in Fig. 1.
8. Test Specimens
5. Test Selection
8.1 Specimen Conditioning and Curing—If aging,
5.1 The only tests that need to be performed are those that
seasoning, or curing conditions affect the performance and
are considered necessary to provide information required by
capacity of the anchorage system of the railing system or rail,
the requesting party, testing agency, and regulatory body
take appropriate measures, in accordance with the manufactur-
involved.
er’s recommendations, to age, season, or cure the anchorage
elements or components prior to testing. Report such condi-
6. Installation
tions in detail. Observe their physical effects and fully describe
6.1 Install the railing system or rail being investigated in
them in the test report.
accordance with the manufacturer’s or designer’s specifica-
8.2 Specimen Moisture Content and Temperature Condi-
tions.
tions (applicable only to hygroscopic products)—If the prevail-
ing moisture content and temperature conditions can affect the
performance of the elements and components of the anchorage
system, hold these parameters constant for a given series of
tests on the performance of railing systems and rails. The
choice of the controlled conditions depends on the environ-
ments of the field conditions to be given consideration. Such
field conditions shall be simulated. Testing shall begin only
after the test specimens have reached approximately stable
conditions with regard to temperature and moisture content.
8.3 Specimen Description—Examples of typical floor-
mounted test specimens are shown in Fig. 1 in diagrammatic
form. The specimen installation, including the post spacing,
shall be the same as the actual field installation. The specimen
shall have a minimum of three posts if this is in line with the
actual field installation simulated.
9. Calculation
9.1 Load-Deformation Data—Determine the unadjusted,
adjusted, and appropriate average load-deformation data for
each loading point of each of the test series (see Section 15 and
19).
9.1.1 Calculate the unadjusted deformation (∆) at a given
load (or released load) for an individual test in the following
manner:
∆ 5 A 2 A (1)
n 1
where:
A = the instrument reading at a given load (or released
n
load), and
A = the initial instrument reading.
9.1.2 Obtain the adjusted deformation (or residual deforma-
FIG. 1 Front Views of Sections of Three Typical Railing Systems tion) by plotting the unadjusted deformation versus the applied
E935 − 00 (2006)
load (or released load) and extrapolating a smooth curve 12.3 Deflection Measurements—Dial gages, having a small-
through the data points back to zero load (or deformation).The est division of not more than 0.25 mm (0.01 in.), or any
adjusted deformation at maximum load or any other test load is suitable measurement devices or calibrated sensors of at least
observed from the plot relative to the zero load. comparable accuracy and sensitivity shall be used to measure
9.1.3 Obtain the appropriate average adjusted deformation the horizontal displacements of the top of the railing system or
at maximum load or any other test load for each of the test rail relative to its original location at each loading point prior
series as the arithmetic mean of the appropriate individual to load application. These devices shall have sufficient mea-
deformation determinations at a given load in a given series. surementcapabilitytoindicatethedisplacementthroughoutthe
test range.
9.2 Required Test-Load and Maximum-Load Data—
Determine the average required test load and maximum load
13. Test Specimen
for given assembly as the arithmetic mean of the appropriate
13.1 Specimens—Load one specimen at the top of the rail at
test and maximum loads for each of the test series depending
an end post. A second specimen shall have two equal loads
on the test requirements.
applied at the top of the rail midway between posts. The third
10. Report specimen shall be a repeat of the weaker of the first two
specimens.
10.1 Report the applicable information as listed in Practice
E575 and specifically the following information:
14. Procedure
10.1.1 Relevant physical-strength properties of the railing-
14.1 Positioning of Railing System or Rail—Position the
system or rail materials used for the test specimens.
railing system or rail in the support system in such a way that
10.1.2 Description of the procedure used for the assembly
theloadisapplied,asshowninFig.2,tothestructuralmember
and installation of the railing system or rail.
perpendicular to the plane of the railing system or rail without
10.1.3 Description of the anchorage system.
causing any local failure at the point of load application.
10.1.4 Age, in days, at time of test of the railing or rail
anchorage system, if this information is of any significance.
14.2 Mounting of Instruments—Mount the three dial gages,
10.1.5 Age, in hours or days, since assembly and installa-
measurement devices, or sensors at each loading point as is
tion of the railing system or rail, if this information is of any
shown in Fig. 2. Place the sensing elements of the instruments
significance.
in contact with and normal to the surface or an extension of the
10.1.6 Species, oven-dry specific gravity, and moisture
surface of the structural element or component being tested in
content at time of test, in percent of the oven-dry weight and
such a way as to measure displacement in the direction of the
volume, of any wood members or components of the anchor-
applied load.
age system.
15. Load Application
10.1.7 Actual rate of loading between increments.
15.1 If the rail is not supported by posts, apply the load in
11. Precision and Bias
the same manner as described in 13; that is, at the rail end, at
11.1 No statement is made on the precision or on the bias of
the rail middle, and, for the third specimen, at the rail end or
these test methods since no data are available at this time that
rail middle, whichever resulted in the weakest of the two
are based on the use of the test methods described.
previously tested specimens.
15.2 Initial Loading—Apply the initial load corresponding
TEST METHOD A—APPLICATION OF HORIZONTAL
to 50 % of the required test load in order to bring all members
STATIC LOAD TO TOP RAIL
in full bearing. After release of the preload to 50 % of the
12. Apparatus preload, apply the required test load or the maximum load
depending on the test requirements by initiating the step
12.1 Testing Machine—Any testing machine or loading
testing.
device, capable of imposing forces accurate to within 61%
when calibrated in accordance with Practices E4, is suitable 15.3 Initial Deflection Reading—Observe the initial deflec-
and may be used provided the requirements of specified rate of tions immediately after application of the initial test load and
loading and unloading are met. The testing device shall be of its release.
sufficient capacity to prevent yielding of its various compo-
15.4 Final Load Application—In the required step loading
nents and shall insure that the applied load remains essentially
during constant-level increment loading up to the required test
parallel to the relevant axis of the assembly during testing.
load or maximum load, each increment of load shall amount to
12.2 Test System—A diagrammatic test set-up for applying not more than 15 % of the estimated maximum load and shall
horizontal tension forces to the assembly is shown in Fig. 2. be maintained as constant as is practical for a 2-min period.
The bearing plates, normally 150-mm (6-in.) long, shall be of Instead of such continuous step loading with 2-min constant-
sufficient size to prevent local failure of the surrounding load intervals, the step loading may be interrupted by releasing
structuralmembersorcomponents.Theloadingdeviceshallbe each step load to the initial test load and observing the residual
attached to the assembly by means of pins or a swivel deflection at the initial test load in order to make it possible to
connector to prevent the direct transfer of any flexural forces determine the total residual deflection for any loading condi-
through the connection. tion. Plot the initial and 2-min readings of the force and
E935 − 00 (2006)
NOTE 1—Any shear forces applied to the top rail shall be transmitted by any existing connections between top rail and railing post. A continuous top
rail of uniform cross section along its span should not fail in shear, but in flexure, since the top rail usually acts like a long beam where existing shear
stresses,ascomparedtoexistingflexuralstresses,arerelativelysmall.Shouldatoprailbedesignedwithaleastsectionmodulusnexttothepost,aspecial
and unusual case, then the design of the top rail shall be tested for such stresses as may exist in the light of the design limitations.
NOTE 2—It is not
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.