ASTM E1486-98(2004)

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

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 E 1486M; 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:
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.
Defined wheel path criteria based on transverse and longitudinal elevation differences, change in elevation difference, and root mean square (RMS) elevation difference.
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 is a commentary on this test method. provides a computer program for waviness index calculations based on this test method.
1.2 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-2004
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.21 - Serviceability

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1486-98 - Standard Test Method for Determining Floor Tolerances Using Waviness, Wheel Path and Levelness Criteria
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Replaced By: ASTM E1486-98(2010) - Standard Test Method for Determining Floor Tolerances Using Waviness, Wheel Path and Levelness Criteria
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010
• Referred By: ASTM E1486M-14(2022) - Standard Test Method for Determining Floor Tolerances Using Waviness, Wheel Path and Levelness Criteria (Metric)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM F710-22 - Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004

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 – 98 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Floor Tolerances Using Waviness, Wheel Path
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 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This test method covers data collection and analysis
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
procedures to determine surface flatness and levelness by
calculating waviness indices for survey lines and surfaces,
2. Referenced Document
elevation differences of defined wheel paths, and levelness
2.1 ASTM Standards:
indices using the inch-pound system of units.
E1486M Test Method for Determining Floor Tolerances
NOTE 1—This test method is the companion to SI Test Method
Using Waviness, Wheel Path and Levelness Criteria (Met-
E1486M; therefore, no SI equivalents are shown in this test method.
ric)
NOTE 2—This test method was not developed for, and does not apply
to, clay or concrete paver units.
3. Terminology
1.1.1 The purpose of this test method is to provide the user
3.1 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
with floor tolerance estimates as follows:
3.1.1 defined wheel path traffıc—traffic on surfaces, or
1.1.1.1 Local survey line waviness and overall surface
specifically identifiable portions thereof, intended for defined
waviness indices for floors based on deviations from the
linear traffic by vehicles with two primary axles and four
midpoints of imaginary chords as they are moved along a floor
primary load wheel contact points on the floor and with
elevation profile survey line. End points of the chords are
corresponding front and rear primary wheels in approximately
always in contact with the surface. The imaginary chords cut
the same wheel paths.
through any points in the concrete surface higher than the
3.1.2 levelness—describedintwoways:theconformanceof
chords.
surface elevation data to the mean elevation of a test section
1.1.1.2 Defined wheel path criteria based on transverse and
(elevation conformance), and as the conformance of survey
longitudinal elevation differences, change in elevation differ-
line slope to a specified slope (RMS levelness).
ence, and root mean square (RMS) elevation difference.
3.1.2.1 elevation conformance—the percentage of surface
1.1.1.3 Levelness criteria for surfaces characterized by ei-
elevation data, h, that lie within the tolerance specified from
i
ther of the following methods: the conformance of elevation
the mean elevation of a test section. The absolute value of the
datatothetestsectionelevationdatameanortheconformance
distance of all points, h, from the test section data mean is
i
of the RMS slope of each survey line to a specified slope for
tested against the specification, dmax. Passing values are
each survey line.
counted, and that total is divided by the aggregate quantity of
1.1.2 The averages used throughout these calculations are
elevation data points for the test section and percent passing is
RMS (that is, the quadratic means). This test method gives
reported.
equal importance to humps and dips, measured up (+) and
3.1.2.2 RMS levelness—directionally dependent calculation
down (−), respectively, from the imaginary chords.
of the RMS of the slopes of the least squares fit line through
1.1.3 Appendix X1 is a commentary on this test method.
successive 15-ft long sections of a survey line, L. The RMS
AppendixX2providesacomputerprogramforwavinessindex
LV is compared with the specified surface slope and specified
L
calculations based on this test method.
maximum deviation to determine compliance.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.3 Waviness Index Terms:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3.1 chord length—the length of an imaginary straight-
edge (chord) joining the two end points at j and j + 2k. This
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. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as E1486–98. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1486-98R04. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1486 – 98 (2004)
imax = totalnumberofsurveypointsalongasurvey
L
line.
imax = total number of survey points along one of
Lx
the pair of survey lines, Lx, representing the
wheel paths of defined wheel path traffic.
j = designation of the location of the survey
point which is the initial point for a devia-
tion calculation (j=1, 2, 3 . jmax ).
k
jmax = totalnumberofdeviationcalculationswitha
k
FIG. 1 Explanation of Symbols
chord length 2ks along a survey line.
k = number of spaces of length s between the
length is equal to 2 ks (see Fig. 1) where the survey spacing s survey points used for deviation calcula-
tions.
isequalto1ftandkisequalto1,2,3,4,and5todefinechord
kmax = maximum number (rounded down to an
lengths of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 ft, respectively, unless values for
L
integer) of spaces of length s that can be
s and k are otherwise stated.
used for deviation calculations for imax
3.1.3.2 deviation (D )—the vertical distance between the
L
kj
survey points (kmax =5 unless otherwise
surface and the mid-point, j + ks, of a chord of length 2ks
L
specified).
whose end points are in contact with the surface.
L = designation of survey lines (L=1, 2, 3 .
3.1.3.3 length adjusted RMS deviation (LAD )—calculated
k
Lmax).
for a reference length L of 10 ft, unless otherwise stated, in
r
LAD = length-adjusted RMS deviation based on
order to obtain deviations that are independent of the various k
points spaced at ks and a reference length of
chord lengths, 2ks.
L .
3.1.3.4 waviness—therelativedegreetowhichasurveyline r
Lg = total number of survey spaces between pri-
deviates from a straight line.
mary axles of a vehicle used as the basis for
3.1.4 Symbols:
longitudinal analysis of each pair of survey
linesrepresentingthewheelpathsofdefined
A = area of test section, ft .
wheel path traffic. Lg equals the integer
d = point i,ofthe(15/s+1)pointsubsetof i=1
resultoftheprimaryaxlespacing,ft,divided
to imax, where d is a point within the
by s.
(15/s+1) point subset, used to evaluate
Lmax = the number of survey lines on the test
RMS levelness. surface.
dh = number of elevation data points of survey
L = a reference length of 120 in., the length to
L r
line, L, which lie within the maximum
which the RMS deviations, RMS D , from
k
allowable deviation from the test section
chordlengthsotherthan120in.areadjusted.
elevation data mean, dmax. LD = longitudinal elevation difference between
i
D = deviation from chord midpoint,j+k, to the
corresponding pairs of points separated by
kj
survey line, in.
Lg of defined wheel paths, mm (i=1, 2, 3
dmax = specified maximum allowable deviation
... (imax −Lg)).
L
from the test section elevation data mean.
LDC = incrementalchangeinlongitudinalelevation
i
EC = thepercentageofelevationdatawithinatest
difference, LD , along defined wheel path
i
section complying to a specified maximum
traffic wheel paths, in./ft (i=1, 2, 3 .
deviation, dmax, from the mean of all eleva-
(imax −Lg−1)).
L
tion data points within a test section.
Lx = designation of the pair of survey lines used
EC = the percentage compliance of each survey
for defined wheel path traffic analysis.
L
line to a specified maximum deviation,
mh = mean elevation of each 15-ft section of
d
dmax, from the mean of all elevation data
survey line, L, mm (d = 1, 2, 3 . . .
points within a test section.
(imax −15/s)).
L
h = elevationofthepointsalongthesurveyline,
ms = mean slope of the least squares fit line of
i
d
in. each 15-ft section of survey line, L, in./ft
ha = elevation of the points along the survey line
(d=1, 2, 3 . (imax −15/s)).
i
L
of the left wheel path of defined wheel path
n = total number of calculated deviations for
L
traffic, in.
survey line L(equal to the sum of the values
hb = elevation of the points along the survey line
i of jmax for all values of k that are used).
k
oftherightwheelpathofdefinedwheelpath
The symbol n is a weighting factor used in
L
traffic, in.
calculating both the waviness and surface
i = designation of the location of survey points
waviness indices.
along a survey line (i=1, 2, 3 . imax ).
L
E1486 – 98 (2004)
4.1.3.1 mh =mean elevation of survey line, L, calculated
RMS D = root mean square of chord midpoint offset
L
k
for use only in calculating mh (see Eq 15).
deviations,D ,basedonpointsspacedatks. TS
kj
4.1.3.2 mh =mean elevation of a test section, calculated
RMS LD = root mean square of longitudinal elevation
TS
Lx
for use only in calculating dh (see Eq 16).
differences, LD, on paired wheel path sur-
i L
vey lines for defined wheel path traffic, with 4.1.3.3 dh =numberofelevationdatapointsofsurveyline,
L
primary axles separated by L , in. L,passingthespecification,dmax,usedforcalculatingbothEC
g
RMS TD = root mean square of transverse elevation L and EC (see Eq 17 and 18).
Lx
differences, TD, on paired wheel path sur-
4.1.3.4 EC =percentage of elevation data points on survey
i
L
vey lines for defined wheel path traffic, in.
line, L, that comply with dmax (see Eq 19).
RMS LV = RMS levelness, calculated as the root mean
L 4.1.3.5 EC =percentage of elevation data points within a
square slope of each survey line, L, in./ft.
test section complying with dmax (see Eq 20).
s = spacing between adjacent survey points
4.1.3.6 mh =meanelevationofeach15-ftsectionofsurvey
d
along a survey line (1 ft unless a smaller
line,L,calculatedforuseonlyincalculatingRMS LV (seeEq
L
value is stated), ft.
21).
SWI = surface waviness index determined by com-
4.1.3.7 ms =meanslopeoftheleastsquaresfitlineofeach
d
bining the waviness indices of all the survey
15-ft section of survey line, L, calculated for use only in
lines on the test surface, in.
calculating RMS LV (see Eq 22).
L
TD = transverse elevation difference between cor-
i
4.1.3.8 RMS LV =RMS of least squares fit 15-ft slopes
L
responding points of defined wheel path
(see Eq 23).
traffic wheel paths, in.(i = 1, 2, 3 .
4.2 Waviness Index—Chord Length Range:
imax ).
Lx
4.2.1 Unless a different range is specified, the waviness
TDC = incremental change in transverse elevation
i
index, WI , shall be calculated for a 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-ft
L
difference, TD along defined wheel path
i
chord length range.
traffic wheel paths, in./ft (i=1, 2, 3 .
4.2.2 Thechordlength,2ks,islimitedbythetotalnumberof
(imax −1)).
Lx
survey points along a survey line. To ensure that the elevation
WI = waviness index for survey line L with chord
L
of every survey point is included in the deviation calculation
length range from 2.0 to 10 ft unless a
thatusesthelargestvalueof k,themaximumvalueof k,called
different range is stated, in.
kmax , is determined by:
L
3.2 Sign Convention—Up is the positive direction; conse-
quently, the higher the survey point, the larger its h value. kmax 5imax /3 ~roundeddowntoaninteger! (1)
i L L
4.2.3 Reduce the maximum chord length so that 2(kmax )s
L
4. Summary of Test Method
is approximately equal to the maximum length that is of
4.1 Equations—Equations are provided to determine the concern to the user.
following characteristics:
NOTE 3—Forlongersurveylines,kmax ,whichisdeterminedusingEq
L
4.1.1 Waviness Index Equations:
1, permits the use of chord lengths, 2ks, longer than those of interest or
4.1.1.1 RMS D =RMS deviation (see Eq 4).
concern to the floor user.
k
4.1.1.2 LAD =length-adjusted deviation (see Eq 5).
k
4.2.4 The maximum chord length for suspended floor slabs
4.1.1.3 WI =waviness index (see Eq 6 and 7).
L
shall be 4 ft, unless the slab has been placed without camber
4.1.1.4 SWI =surface waviness index (see Eq 8).
and the shoring remains in place.
4.1.1.5 |D | =absolute value of the length adjusted devia-
kj
4.3 Waviness Index—Maximum Number of Deviation Mea-
tion (see Eq 24).
surements per Chord Length:
4.1.2 Defined Wheel Path Traffıc Equations:
4.3.1 As the values of k are increased from 1 to kmax , the
L
4.1.2.1 TD =transverse elevation difference between the
i
number of deviation calculations decreases.
wheel paths of defined wheel path traffic (see Eq 9).
jmax 5imax 22k (2)
k L
4.1.2.2 TDC =transverse change in elevation difference
i
4.4 Waviness Index—Deviation:
between wheel paths of defined wheel path traffic (see Eq 10).
4.4.1 As shown in Fig. 1, the deviation, D , is
4.1.2.3 RMS TD =RMS transverse elevation difference
kj
Lx
between wheel paths of defined wheel path traffic (see Eq 11).
D 5h 2 ~h 1h !in. (3)
kj j 1k j j 12k
4.1.2.4 LD = longitudinal elevation difference between 2
i
frontandrearaxlesonwheelpathsofdefinedwheelpathtraffic
4.5 Waviness Index—RMS Deviation:
(see Eq 12).
4.5.1 RMS D is calculated for each chord length using all
k
4.1.2.5 LDC =Longitudinal change in elevation difference
i
points along the survey line.
between front and rear axles on wheel paths of defined wheel
jmax
k
path traffic (see Eq 13).
D
( kj
i51
4.1.2.6 RMS LD =RMS longitudinal elevation difference
Œ
Lx
RMSD 5 in. (4)
k
jmax
k
betweenaxlesonwheelpathsofdefinedwheelpathtraffic(see
Eq 14).
4.6 Waviness Index—Length-Adjusted Deviations: LAD is
k
4.1.3 Levelness Equations: calculated for a reference length, L , using Eq 5.
r
E1486 – 98 (2004)
~imax 2Lg!
Lx
jmax
k
L
r
LD
( i
D
(
F kjG
i51
2ks
i51 Œ
RMSLD 5 in. (14)
Lx
~imax 2Lg!
LAD 5 in. (5)
! Lx
k
jmax
k
4.10 Calculations for Elevation Conformance:
4.7 Waviness Index—The values of LAD obtained for each
k
4.10.1 Mean Elevation of Survey Line—mh is calculated
L
value of k shall be combined with other LAD values for each
for survey line, L, using Eq 15.
line L by weighing the values in proportion to jmax to obtain
k
imax
L
the waviness index, WI .
L
h
( i
i51
kmax
L Œ
mh 5 in. (15)
2 L
imax
~jmax LAD !
L
( k k
k51
Œ
WI 5 in. (6)
L 4.10.2 MeanElevationofaTestSection—mh iscalculated
n TS
L
for a test section using Eq 16.
where
Lmax
L
kmax
L
mh
(
L
n 5 jmax (7)
L ( k L51
Œ
k51
mh
...