ASTM F2117-10(2017)

Standard Test Method for Vertical Rebound Characteristics of Sports Surface/Ball Systems; Acoustical Measurement

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The ball-surface interaction is just one of the important properties of a sports surface. It may be an indicator of the playability or suitability of the surface.  
5.2 Manufacturers of sporting balls may use this method to evaluate the effects of design changes on the rebound height produced.  
5.3 Manufacturers of sports surfaces may use this method to evaluate the effects of design changes in the sports surface system on the rebound height produced.  
5.4 The tendency of modern facilities to support multiple sports on a single surface may require that test surfaces be tested for several types of sporting balls. Examples include, but are not limited to: basketball, soccer, tennis, and baseball.  
5.5 The measurement of rebound height may be affected if the temperature of the ball has not reached equilibrium with the environment.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative measurement and normalization of the vertical rebound produced during impacts between athletic balls and athletic surfaces.  
1.2 Measurements may be conducted on nonathletic surfaces to test the performance properties of the ball.  
1.3 Measurements may be conducted using nonathletic balls to test the performance properties of the surface.  
1.4 The methods described are applicable in both laboratory and field settings.  
1.5 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for reference only.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2017
• ICS: 17.140.99 - Other standards related to acoustics
• ICS: 97.220.10 - Sports facilities
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.52 - Miscellaneous Playing Surfaces

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F2117-10 - Standard Test Method for Vertical Rebound Characteristics of Sports Surface/Ball Systems; Acoustical Measurement
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Referred By: ASTM F2772-11(2019) - Standard Specification for Athletic Performance Properties of Indoor Sports Floor Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Referred By: ASTM F1551-09(2017) - Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017

Overview

ASTM F2117-10(2017) is the standard test method for measuring the vertical rebound characteristics of sports surface/ball systems utilizing acoustical measurement. Developed by ASTM International, this standard provides a quantitative approach to evaluating how athletic balls rebound when impacting a variety of sports surfaces, making it an essential reference for assessing surface playability and ball-surface interaction in both laboratory and field settings. The standard also supports the needs of facilities hosting multiple sports by outlining procedures applicable to various ball types, including basketball, soccer, tennis, and baseball.

Key Topics

• Vertical Rebound Measurement: This method measures the height achieved by a sporting ball on its first rebound after being dropped from a known height onto a test surface.
• Acoustical Analysis: Acoustic sensors and analysis software are used to detect impact sounds and accurately determine timing to calculate rebound heights.
• Versatility of Testing:
  • Applicable to both athletic and nonathletic surfaces and balls.
  • Suitable for laboratory and on-site field tests.
• Ball-Surface Interactions:
  • Focuses on indicators of playability such as vertical rebound ratio (VRR) and coefficient of restitution (CR).
  • Considers environmental factors-such as temperature and humidity-on test accuracy.
• Sample Integrity & Preparation:
  • Specifies minimum sample sizes for area elastic and point elastic surfaces.
  • Emphasizes acclimation of both the ball and surface to the testing environment for reliable results.
• Reporting Requirements:
  • Comprehensive data collection including environmental conditions, construction and moisture details, inflation pressures, and detailed surface diagrams.

Applications

The ASTM F2117-10(2017) standard is widely used by:

• Sports Surface Manufacturers: To assess and enhance the playability, safety, and overall quality of their surfaces by measuring how different surface designs influence rebound behavior.
• Sporting Ball Manufacturers: To evaluate how changes in ball design affect rebound height on various surfaces, allowing for optimization suited to specific sports.
• Quality Assurance and Facility Managers:
  • To validate sports flooring for compliance and suitability for intended sporting uses.
  • To benchmark performance, inform maintenance schedules, and support claims with standardized rebound data.
• Multisport Facilities: Given the rise of venues designed for multiple sports, this standard enables consistent assessment across different ball types and sports, supporting cross-functional facility planning.
• Researchers and Regulatory Bodies: For comparative studies, product certification, and regulatory compliance regarding sports equipment and surfaces.

Related Standards

• DIN 18032 Part II: A referenced standard focusing on sports surfaces, particularly for vertical ball behavior.
• BS 7044: Covers aspects of sports surface testing within British Standards frameworks.
• EN 12235: European standard outlining methods for determining vertical ball behavior on sports surfaces.

These related standards, together with ASTM F2117-10(2017), form a core set of guidelines ensuring global consistency in sports surface and equipment testing.

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Keywords: sports surface testing, vertical rebound, ball-surface interaction, ASTM F2117-10, acoustic rebound measurement, playability, sports equipment performance, coefficient of restitution, vertical rebound ratio, multi-sport facility compliance

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2117 − 10 (Reapproved 2017) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Vertical Rebound Characteristics of Sports Surface/Ball
Systems; Acoustical Measurement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2117; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative measurement 3.1 Definitions:
and normalization of the vertical rebound produced during
3.1.1 area elastic surface, n—surfaces where the energy at
impacts between athletic balls and athletic surfaces.
impact is dispersed throughout an area significantly larger than
the impact point (for example, sprung wooden basketball
1.2 Measurements may be conducted on nonathletic sur-
floors, poured urethane floors over sprung subfloor). Area
faces to test the performance properties of the ball.
elastic surfaces tend to produce a noticeable vibration when
1.3 Measurementsmaybeconductedusingnonathleticballs
impacted.
to test the performance properties of the surface.
3.1.1.1 subfloor, n—any structural members found between
1.4 The methods described are applicable in both laboratory
the playing surface and the underlying concrete base. Subfloor
and field settings.
systems are typically found in sprung indoor playing surfaces
1.5 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as
and can include but are not limited to: layers consisting of
the standard.The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
sheets of plywood, layers consisting of strips of plywood, and
reference only.
solid-wood members.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.2 athletic surface, n—an athletic surface appropriate for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the sport(s) of interest should be selected for testing. The
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
surface may be selected from previously installed surfaces and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tested in its complete form, or smaller samples may be tested
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
under laboratory settings.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.3 coeffıcient of restitution (CR), n—the ratio of rebound
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
height to release height. This parameter is useful for nonin-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
flated balls that are found to be damaged by impacts with a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
concrete reference surface. Construction differences and sen-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
sitivity to inflation pressure make this parameter inappropriate
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
for comparing different playing surfaces based on results
2. Referenced Documents
obtained using inflated sporting balls.
2.1 DIN (Deutsches Institut fur Normung):
3.1.4 point elastic surface, n—surface where the energy at
18032 Part II, 1991 Section 5.8
impact is dispersed throughout an area that negligibly exceeds
2.2 British Standards:
the impact point (for example, natural turf, artificial turf,
7044, 1990, Section 2.1
poured urethane surfaces). Point elastic surfaces do not pro-
2.3 EN (European Committee for Standardization):
duce noticeable vibrations when impacted.
EN 12235 Surfaces for sports areas - Determination of
3.1.5 reference surface, n—any section of a concrete slab
vertical ball behaviour
with a smooth uniform, uncracked surface with a minimum
horizontal dimension of 30 cm (12 in.) that produces a rebound
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
with minimal horizontal movement.
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.52 on Miscellaneous Playing Surfaces.
3.1.6 resting time constant (K ), n—a time constant that
r
Current edition approved April 1, 2017. Published April 2017. Originally
corrects for the duration that the ball is in contact with the
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as F2117 – 10. DOI:
10.1520/F2117-10R17. surface.
Available from DIN, Burggrafenstrasse 6, D-10787 Berlin, Germany.
3 3.1.7 sporting ball, n—a sporting ball appropriate for the
Available from BSI, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL, UK.
Available from ANSI, 1819 L Street, Washington, DC 20036, USA. sport(s) of interest should be selected for testing. The test ball
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2117 − 10 (2017)
should be inspected to verify that it is spherical and devoid of apparatus is typically an adjustable-height tripod. The release
bulges. Bulges indicate structural damage exists within the mechanism may be mechanical, electromagnetic, vacuum, or
ball, that could affect the testing results. In the case of inflated manual.
sporting balls, the pressure should conform to manufacturer’s
6.2 Sound Recording and Analysis System—A system with
guidelines.
the minimum requirements as follow: acoustic sampling fre-
3.1.8 vertical rebound height, n—the highest height
quency 11 000 Hz, 8-bit resolution, on a single acoustic
achieved by sporting ball during its first rebound after contact-
channel. The system must be capable of determining the time
ing the surface, as measured from the bottom of the ball to the
of the first (t) and second (t ) impacts using the peak acoustic
l 2
top of the surface.
signal generated to determine t and t through either the use of
l 2
hardware or software.
3.1.9 vertical rebound ratio (VRR), n—the ratio of the
6.2.1 Example—Personal computer, sound-card, and micro-
rebound on the test surface to the rebound on the reference
phone have been found to produce adequate results.
surface, expressed as a percentage. This parameter may not be
appropriate for all sporting balls, as some may experience
7. Testing Conditions
damage when impacting the reference surface.When reference
surface rebound measurement is found to be unrepeatable, the
7.1 The following general testing conditions should be
coefficient of restitution should be used instead.
recorded and included in the test report for information
purposes only:
4. Summary of Test Method
7.1.1 All Surfaces:
7.1.1.1 Record temperature (to the nearest 1°C) and relative
4.1 This test method provides a means for evaluating the
humidity (to the nearest 1 %) at an elevation of 30 65cm(12
rebound height produced by a test ball on a test surface. The
6 2 in.) above the playing surface. Measurements may be
procedure can be used to evaluate vertical ball rebound
obtained using hand-held commercially available temperature
performance on a reference athletic surface, evaluate surface
and relative humidity sensors.
vertical rebound performance using a reference athletic ball, or
7.1.1.2 The vertical ball rebound should be tested using a
to evaluate the effects of ball-surface interactions. A ball is
1.800 6 0.005-m (71 6 0.2-in.) drop height, as measured from
released from a known height and allowed to impact the
the bottom of the ball to the top of the test surface. Additional
reference surface.The release should not impart any horizontal
drop heights may be tested and should be agreed on by the
motion. An acoustical measurement system measures the
purchaser and the seller.
rebound height obtained on the test surface. The ball is then
7.1.2 Wood Playing Surfaces—The wood moisture content
released from the same height and allowed to impact the test
(%) should be included. Measurements may be obtained using
surface, where again, the rebound height is measured. The
hand-held commercially available wood moisture sensors.
vertical rebound ratio, presented as a percentage, is obtained
7.1.3 Outdoor Playing Surface—The general moisture level
from the ratio of the vertical rebound height on the sporting
of the surface should be included. In general, the surface
surface to the vertical rebound height on the reference surface.
should be characterized as dry, damp, or wet.
7.1.4 Laboratory Sample Sizes:
5. Significance and Use
7.1.4.1 Area elastic surfaces should be evaluated using a
5.1 The ball-surface interaction is just one of the important
minimum sample size of 2.0 by 2.0 m (6.5 by 6.5 ft).
properties of a sports surface. It may be an indicator of the
7.1.4.2 Point elastic surfaces should be evaluated using a
playability or suitability of the surface.
minimum sample size of 1.0 by 1.0 m (3.3 by 3.3 ft).
5.2 Manufacturers of sporting balls may use this method to
8. Procedure
evaluate the effects of design changes on the rebound height
produced.
8.1 When the ball and test surface are introduced to a new
environment, each should be allowed to acclimate. The ball
5.3 Manufacturers of sports surfaces may use this method to
evaluate the effects of design changes in the sports surface should be allowed to acclimate to the surroundings for 1 h, and
the surface should be allowed at least4hto acclimate to the
system on the rebound height produced.
environment.
5.4 The tendency of modern facilities to support multiple
8.2 Measure and record ambient temperature to the nearest
sports on a single surface may require that test surfaces be
testedforseveraltypesofsportingballs.Examplesinclude,but 1°C and the relative humidity to the nearest 1 % at a height of
30 cm (12 in.) over the reference surface.
are not limited to: basketball, soccer, tennis, and baseball.
5.5 The measurement of rebound height may be affected if 8.3 Measure and record ambient temperature to the nearest
1°C and the relative humidity to the nearest 1 % at a height of
thetemperatureoftheballhasnotreachedequilibriumwiththe
environment. 30 cm (12 in.) over the athletic surface.
8.4 Locate and document all points to be tested. This
6. Apparatus
includes points on the reference surface and on the athletic
6.1 Ball-Release Apparatus, capable of releasing the sport- surface.
ing ball from a consistent height, without imparting significant 8.4.1 Whentestingunderfieldconditions,includeadiagram
spin or horizontal motion to the sporting ball. The ball release of the playing surface and its surroundings and dimensions that
F2117 − 10 (2017)
allow the test points to be relocated. Effort should be made to tested surface. Record five rebound measurements following
locate and test rebound properties of the playing surface on the methods in 8.7 and calculate the average time between
areas representative of the surface conditions present and rebounds (t ) and the average rebound height for the
ref-2
construction methods used in the playing surface. Tests should reference surface (h ).
ref-2
also be conducted on areas considered heavy-use and non-use
8.12 Record the inflation pressure of the ball, when
areas. Examples include but are not limited to the followin
...