ASTM E73-13

Standard Practice for Static Load Testing of Truss Assemblies

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice provides a guide to any individual, group, agency, or code body on the methods of test for truss assemblies fabricated from all types of construction materials. Sample size is generally kept to a minimum to reduce costs. The methods may be used to apply proof loads to an assembly or to test it to failure. Information obtained includes strength and stiffness data, and if assemblies are tested to their ultimate load carrying capacity, the failure method or mechanism can be observed.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended as a guide for use in the testing of truss assemblies fabricated from all types of construction materials. While the practice may be used for the testing of a variety of assemblies, it is primarily intended to be used in the testing of those trusses designed to be spaced at 1.2 m centers or greater. It can be used, but it is not normally intended, for the testing of wood residential trussed rafters. Either proof tests or tests to destruction may be run.  
1.2 Limitations—It is not intended that this practice be used for routine quality control testing.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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 specific hazard statements, see Section 7.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2013
• ICS: 91.080.99 - Other structures
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.11 - Horizontal and Vertical Structures/Structural Performance of Completed Structures

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E73 − 13
Standard Practice for
1
Static Load Testing of Truss Assemblies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E73; 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.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 truss, n—a coplanar system of structural elements
1.1 This practice is intended as a guide for use in the testing
joined together at their ends usually to construct a series of
of truss assemblies fabricated from all types of construction
triangles that form a stable beam-like framework.
materials. While the practice may be used for the testing of a
variety of assemblies, it is primarily intended to be used in the
3.2.2 static load, n—a load or series of loads that are
testing of those trusses designed to be spaced at 1.2 m centers
supported by or are applied to a structure so gradually that
orgreater.Itcanbeused,butitisnotnormallyintended,forthe
forces caused by change in momentum of the load and
testing of wood residential trussed rafters. Either proof tests or
structural elements can be neglected and all parts of the system
tests to destruction may be run.
at any instant are essentially in equilibrium.
1.2 Limitations—It is not intended that this practice be used
4. Summary of Practice
for routine quality control testing.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 4.1 This practice outlines the procedures to be followed in
the static load testing of major load carrying truss assemblies.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. While the procedure tells what to do, it does not tell the testing
agency how to do it.This leaves the selection of the test fixture
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and loading medium to the discretion of the testing agency.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Materials selection, sampling, conditioning, fabrication, test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
procedures, and report requirements are covered.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
4.2 Two types of tests may be conducted using this practice:
statements, see Section 7.
4.2.1 Proof Tests—A proof test is frequently made to pro-
vide assurance that the truss will support a stated load or to
2. Referenced Documents
determine the deformations and structural response under a
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
specified loading.
E196 Practice for Gravity Load Testing of Floors and Low
4.2.2 Test to Failure—In testing to failure, more detailed
Slope Roofs
information is generally desired such as ultimate load carrying
E575 Practice for Reporting Data from Structural Tests of
capacity, total load-deflection history, yield point, connection
Building Constructions, Elements, Connections, and As-
performance, factor of safety, etc.
semblies
4.2.3 If desired, either type of test may be extended to
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
include a determination of the magnitude and distribution of
the stresses in the members and connections in order to permit
3. Terminology
a more comprehensive analysis of the truss performance.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms in this practice, see
Terminology E631.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice provides a guide to any individual, group,
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor-
agency, or code body on the methods of test for truss
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.11 on
assemblies fabricated from all types of construction materials.
Horizontal and Vertical Structures/Structural Performance of Completed Structures.
Sample size is generally kept to a minimum to reduce costs.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published April 2013. Originally
The methods may be used to apply proof loads to an assembly
approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E73 – 83 (2007). DOI:
10.1520/E0073-13.
or to test it to failure. Information obtained includes strength
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and stiffness data, and if assemblies are tested to their ultimate
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
loadcarryingcapacity,thefailuremethodormechanismcanbe
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. observed.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

-----------
...

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: E73 − 83 (Reapproved 2007) E73 − 13
Standard Practice for
1
Static Load Testing of Truss Assemblies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E73; 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 practice is intended as a guide for use in the testing of truss assemblies fabricated from all types of construction
materials. While the practice may be used for the testing of a variety of assemblies, it is primarily intended to be used in the testing
of those trusses designed to be spaced at 1.2 m (48 in.) centers or greater. It can be used, but it is not normally intended, for the
testing of wood residential trussed rafters. Either proof tests or tests to destruction may be run.
1.2 Limitations—It is not intended that this practice be used for routine quality control testing.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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 specific hazard statements, see Section 7.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E196 Practice for Gravity Load Testing of Floors and Low Slope Roofs
E575 Practice for Reporting Data from Structural Tests of Building Constructions, Elements, Connections, and Assemblies
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
3. Terminology
3.1 truss—a coplanar system of structural elements joined together at their ends usually to construct a series of triangles that
form a stable beam-like framework.
3.2 static load—a load or series of loads that are supported by or are applied to a structure so gradually that forces caused by
change in momentum of the load and structural elements can be neglected and all parts of the system at any instant are essentially
in equilibrium.
3.1 Definitions—For other definitions of terms in this practice, see Terminology E631.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 truss, n—a coplanar system of structural elements joined together at their ends usually to construct a series of triangles
that form a stable beam-like framework.
3.2.2 static load, n—a load or series of loads that are supported by or are applied to a structure so gradually that forces caused
by change in momentum of the load and structural elements can be neglected and all parts of the system at any instant are
essentially in equilibrium.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 This practice outlines the procedures to be followed in the static load testing of major load carrying truss assemblies. While
the procedure tells what to do, it does not tell the testing agency how to do it. This leaves the selection of the test fixture and loading
medium to the discretion of the testing agency. Materials selection, sampling, conditioning, fabrication, test procedures, and report
requirements are covered.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.11 on Horizontal and
Vertical Structures/Structural Performance of Completed Structures.
Current edition approved April 1, 2007April 1, 2013. Published April 2007April 2013. Originally approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 20022007 as
E73 – 83 (2002).(2007). DOI: 10.1520/E0073-83R07.10.1520/E0073-13.
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 ----------------------
E73 − 13
4.2 Two types of tests may be conducted using this practice:
4.2.1 Proof Tests—A proof test is frequently made to provide assurance that the truss will support a stated load or to determine
the deformations and structural response under a specified loading.
4.2.2 Test to Failure—In testing to failure, more detailed information is generally desired such as ul
...