ASTM E1486-14

Standard Test Method for Determining Floor Tolerances Using Waviness, Wheel Path and Levelness Criteria

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides statistical and graphical information concerning floor surface profiles.  
5.2 Results of this test method are for the purpose of the following:  
5.2.1 Establishing compliance of random or fixed-path trafficked floor surfaces with specified tolerances;  
5.2.2 Evaluating the effect of different construction methods on the waviness of the resulting floor surface;  
5.2.3 Investigating the curling and deflection of concrete floor surfaces;  
5.2.4 Establishing, evaluating, and investigating the profile characteristics of other surfaces; and  
5.2.5 Establishing, evaluating, and investigating the levelness characteristics of surfaces.  
5.3 Application:
5.3.1 Random Traffic—When the traffic patterns across a floor are not fixed, two sets of survey lines approximately equally spaced and at right angles to each other shall be used. The survey lines shall be spaced across the test section to produce lines of approximately equal total length, both parallel to and perpendicular to the longest test section boundary. Limits are specified in 7.2.2 and 7.3.2.  
5.3.2 Defined Wheel Path Traffic—For surfaces primarily intended for defined wheel path traffic, only two wheel paths and the initial transverse elevation difference (“side-to-side”) between wheels shall be surveyed.  
5.3.3 Time of Measurement—For new concrete floor construction, the elevation measurements shall be made within 72 h of final concrete finishing. For existing structures, measurements shall be taken as appropriate.  
5.3.4 Elevation Conformance—Use is restricted to shored, suspended surfaces.  
5.3.5 RMS Levelness—Use is unrestricted, except that it is excluded from use with cambered surfaces and unshored, elevated surfaces.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers data collection and analysis procedures to determine surface flatness and levelness by calculating waviness indices for survey lines and surfaces, elevation differences of defined wheel paths, and levelness indices using SI units.Note 1—This test method is the companion to inch-pound Test Method E1486.Note 2—This test method was not developed for, and does not apply to clay or concrete paver units.  
1.1.1 The purpose of this test method is to provide the user with floor tolerance estimates as follows:
1.1.1.1 Local survey line waviness and overall surface waviness indices for floors based on deviations from the midpoints of imaginary chords as they are moved along a floor elevation profile survey line. End points of the chords are always in contact with the surface. The imaginary chords cut through any points in the concrete surface higher than the chords.
1.1.1.2 Defined wheel path criteria based on transverse and longitudinal elevation differences, change in elevation difference, and root mean square (RMS) elevation difference.
1.1.1.3 Levelness criteria for surfaces characterized by either of the following methods: the conformance of elevation data to the test section elevation data mean; or by the conformance of the RMS slope of each survey line to a specified slope for each survey line.  
1.1.2 The averages used throughout these calculations are the root mean squares, RMS (that is, the quadratic means). This test method gives equal importance to humps and dips, measured up (+) and down (−), respectively, from the imaginary chords.  
1.1.3 Appendix X1 is a commentary on this test method. Appendix X2 provides a computer program for waviness index calculations based on this test method.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2014
• ICS: 91.060.30 - Ceilings. Floors. Stairs
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.21 - Serviceability

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E1486M-98 - Standard Test Method for Determining Floor Tolerances Using Waviness, Wheel Path and Levelness Criteria [Metric]
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1998

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: E1486 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Determining Floor Tolerances Using Waviness, Wheel Path
1
and Levelness Criteria
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1486; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
asstandard.Nootherunitsofmeasurementareincludedinthis
1.1 This test method covers data collection and analysis
standard.
procedures to determine surface flatness and levelness by
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
calculating waviness indices for survey lines and surfaces,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
elevation differences of defined wheel paths, and levelness
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
indices using the inch-pound system of units.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
NOTE 1—This test method is the companion to SI Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
E1486M; therefore, no SI equivalents are shown in this test method.
NOTE2—Thistestmethodwasnotdevelopedfor,anddoesnotapplyto,
2. Referenced Document
clay or concrete paver units.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1.1 The purpose of this test method is to provide the user
E1486MTest Method for Determining Floor Tolerances
with floor tolerance estimates as follows:
UsingWaviness,WheelPathandLevelnessCriteria(Met-
1.1.1.1 Local survey line waviness and overall surface
ric)
waviness indices for floors based on deviations from the
3. Terminology
midpoints of imaginary chords as they are moved along a floor
elevation profile survey line. End points of the chords are
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
always in contact with the surface. The imaginary chords cut
3.1.1 defined wheel path traffıc—traffic on surfaces, or
through any points in the concrete surface higher than the
specifically identifiable portions thereof, intended for defined
chords.
linear traffic by vehicles with two primary axles and four
1.1.1.2 Defined wheel path criteria based on transverse and
primary load wheel contact points on the floor and with
longitudinal elevation differences, change in elevation
corresponding front and rear primary wheels in approximately
difference, and root mean square (RMS) elevation difference.
the same wheel paths.
1.1.1.3 Levelness criteria for surfaces characterized by ei-
3.1.2 levelness—describedintwoways:theconformanceof
ther of the following methods: the conformance of elevation
surface elevation data to the mean elevation of a test section
datatothetestsectionelevationdatameanortheconformance
(elevation conformance), and as the conformance of survey
of the RMS slope of each survey line to a specified slope for
line slope to a specified slope (RMS levelness).
each survey line.
3.1.2.1 elevation conformance—the percentage of surface
1.1.2 The averages used throughout these calculations are
elevation data, h, that lie within the tolerance specified from
i
RMS (that is, the quadratic means). This test method gives
the mean elevation of a test section. The absolute value of the
equal importance to humps and dips, measured up (+) and
distance of all points, h, from the test section data mean is
i
down (−), respectively, from the imaginary chords.
tested against the specification, dmax. Passing values are
1.1.3 Appendix X1 is a commentary on this test method.
counted, and that total is divided by the aggregate quantity of
AppendixX2providesacomputerprogramforwavinessindex
elevation data points for the test section and percent passing is
calculations based on this test method.
reported.
3.1.2.2 RMS levelness—directionally dependent calculation
of the RMS of the slopes of the least squares fit line through
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.21
2
on Serviceability. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2014. Published May 2014. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E1486–98 (2010). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E1486-14. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1486 − 14
EC = the percentage compliance of each survey line
L
to a specified maximum de
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1486 − 98 (Reapproved 2010) E1486 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Determining Floor Tolerances Using Waviness, Wheel Path
1
and Levelness Criteria
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1486; 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
1.1 This test method covers data collection and analysis procedures to determine surface flatness and levelness by calculating
waviness indices for survey lines and surfaces, elevation differences of defined wheel paths, and levelness indices using the
inch-pound system of units.
NOTE 1—This test method is the companion to SI Test Method E1486M; therefore, no SI equivalents are shown in this test method.
NOTE 2—This test method was not developed for, and does not apply to, clay or concrete paver units.
1.1.1 The purpose of this test method is to provide the user with floor tolerance estimates as follows:
1.1.1.1 Local survey line waviness and overall surface waviness indices for floors based on deviations from the midpoints of
imaginary chords as they are moved along a floor elevation profile survey line. End points of the chords are always in contact with
the surface. The imaginary chords cut through any points in the concrete surface higher than the chords.
1.1.1.2 Defined wheel path criteria based on transverse and longitudinal elevation differences, change in elevation difference,
and root mean square (RMS) elevation difference.
1.1.1.3 Levelness criteria for surfaces characterized by either of the following methods: the conformance of elevation data to
the test section elevation data mean or the conformance of the RMS slope of each survey line to a specified slope for each survey
line.
1.1.2 The averages used throughout these calculations are RMS (that is, the quadratic means). This test method gives equal
importance to humps and dips, measured up (+) and down (−), respectively, from the imaginary chords.
1.1.3 Appendix X1 is a commentary on this test method. Appendix X2 provides a computer program for waviness index
calculations based on this test method.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Document
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1486M Test Method for Determining Floor Tolerances Using Waviness, Wheel Path and Levelness Criteria (Metric)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 defined wheel path traffıc—traffic on surfaces, or specifically identifiable portions thereof, intended for defined linear traffic
by vehicles with two primary axles and four primary load wheel contact points on the floor and with corresponding front and rear
primary wheels in approximately the same wheel paths.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.21 on
Serviceability.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010April 1, 2014. Published November 2010May 2014. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20042010 as
E1486 – 98 (2004).(2010). DOI: 10.1520/E1486-98R10.10.1520/E1486-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM 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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1486 − 14
3.1.2 levelness—described in two ways: the conformance of surface elevation data to the mean elevation of a test section
(elevation conformance), and as the conformance of survey line slope to a specified slope (RMS levelness).
3.1.2.1 elevation conformance—the percentage of surface elevation data, h , that lie within the tolerance specified from the mean
i
elevation of a test section. The absolute value of the distance of all points, h , from the test s
...