ASTM D775-80(1986)

Method for Drop Test for Loaded Boxes (Withdrawn 1993)

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• ICS: 55.180.40 - Complete, filled transport packages
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.22 - Hazardous Materials

Standards Content (Sample)

DISCONTINUED
Reproduced BY GLOBAL ENGINEERING ~
DOCUMENTS IHS Under Liee.se Wih ASTM
Designation: D 775 - 80 (Reapproved 1986)
Copyric:ht American Society For Testinc And
Materials 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia,
hRRsyinnia 191()3
Standard Test Method for
Drop Test for Loaded Boxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 775; 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.
3.2.2 Objective B-To measure the ability of the package
1. Scope
(shipping container and interior packing materials) to protect
1.1 This test method covers four procedures for the drop
its contents.
testing of loaded boxes.
3.3 These procedures are also particularly suitable for
1.2 This standard may involve hazardous materials, oper­
boxes that are normally handled manually. Boxes of such
ations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
bulk or mass that they cannot be handled manually may be
address all o/the safety problems associated with its use. It is
more satisfactorily tested in accordance with Methods D 880
the responsibility o/whoever uses this standard to consult and
and D 1083.
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter­
mine the applicability 0/ regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Apparatus
4.1 Drop Test Apparatus-The drop test equipment shall
2. Referenced Documents conform to the following requirements:
4.1.1 Permit the box to be placed in a position, prior to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
release, that will assure correct orientation, within 2° for
D 644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper and
flat-face drops and 10° for edge and comer drops upon
Paperboard by Oven Drying
impact.
D 685 Method for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products
4.1.2 Permit accurate control of the drop from specified
for Testing
heights.
D 880 Method for Incline Impact Test for Shipping
4.1.3 Utilize lifting devices that will not damage the test
Containers
member.
D 997 Method for Drop Test for Loaded Cylindrical
4.1.4 Provide a release mechanism that does not impart
Containers
rotational or side-wise forces to the test package. If drop
D 1083 Method of Testing Mechanical Handling of Unit­
leaves are used, the apparatus shall provide a spring or other
ized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
mechanism so that the leaves do not interfere with a free,
E 122 Recommended Practice for Choice of Sample Size
unobstructed fall.
to Estimate the Average Quality of a Lot or Process
4.1.5 Provide a rigid and level dropping surface that is
integral with a mass that shall be at least 50 times the weight
of the dropping container. Neither the depth nor width of the
3. Significance and Use
mass shall be less than half the length. The dropping surface,
3.1 This test method is used to provide an indication of
firmly anchored to the mass, shall be a steel plate not less
the ability of a box to withstand the damage which can be
than 1/2 in. (13 mm) thick.
caused by the sudden shock induced by dropping a package.
4.1.6 A test unit for calibration purposes should be
It simulates those shocks that are likely to occur in the
constructed. It shall be of the same general size and mass as
handling of packages through a variety o( distributions cycles
maximum size and mass packages to be tested, and shall be
and the ability of the box to protect the contents against
dropped from heights in the expected range. The center or
these shocks. The test may also permit observation of
gravity of the unit shall be at its geometric center. When this
progressive failure of the box and damage to the contents.
unit is dropped, it must strike the impact surface within the
3.2 Drop tests are performed with either of the two
specified limits. Compliance with the specifications may
following objectives (see Annex AI), either objective being of
conveniently be determined with a camera.
value for comparing the characteristics of a package design to
4.1.7 For very large packages it may be necessary to use a
a standard or for comparing differences in package construc­
hoist, sling, and tripping devices or solenoid operated drop
tion:
test mechanism and suspension devices shown in Figs.
3.2.1 Objective A-To measure the ability of the shipping
A I-A4 of Method D 997.
container to withstand rough handling.
4.2 Conditioning Apparatus-Adequate facilities shall be
provided for conditioning test specimens at proper humidity
and temperature prior to test in accordance with the specifi­
I This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee 0-10 on
cations covering the containers to be tested.
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D I 0.22 on Handling
and Transportation.
Current edition approved March 3, 1980. Published May 1980. Originally
5. Sampling
published as D 775 - 44 T. Last previous edition D 775 - 61 (1973).
5.1 Determine the number of specimens to be tested in
2 Annual Book 0/ ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
3 Annual Book 0/ ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
accordance with Recommended Practice E 122.
-.
",'.-
4~ D775
physical test, water immersion, exposure to water spray, or
exposure to standard or other fixed conditions of air temper­
ature or humidity. Fiberboard boxes shall be conditioned in
accordance with Method D 685.
8. Procedure
8.1 Perform the tests in the conditioned atmosphere or
immediately upon removal from that atmosphere.
8.2 Drop test procedures may be conducted by dropping
the package either on one member of the box or on several
different members in a prescribed sequence (cycle testing). A
-5,
member is defined as a face, corner, or edge of the box.
8.2.1 When the box is to be dropped on a face, position it
Corner
so that upon impact, there is no more than a 2· angle
3-4-5-
between the plane of this face and the dropping surface.
8.2.2 When the box is to be dropped on an edge, position
it so that upon impact, this edge makes no more than 2·
angle with the dropping surface, and the plane containing
this edge and the center of gravity of the box makes no more
'Corner
I-Z.-~ than a 10· angle with the vertical.
8.2.3 When the box is to be dropped on a corner, position
it so that upon impact, the line containing this comer and
the center of gravity of the box makes no more than a 10·
angle with the vertical.
8.3 Choice of End Point-In conducting drop tests, use
either of two types of end points: (1) continue the test until
obvious damage occurs, or (2) conduct the test at a specified
FIG. 1 Diagram Showing Identification of Faces, Edges, and
number of drops or cycles followed by examination of the
Comers of Containers
resulting damage to the contents or the box (depending upon
which objective, A or B, is being considered (see Annex AI».
6. Test Specimens
8.4 Height of Drop-The height from which the box shall
6.1 When the protective ability of the package is to be be dropped will depend upon the purpose of the test. In some
evaluated. pack the package with the actual contents for instances the height and number of drops will be prescribed
which it was designed (Note I). When the ability of the box in the specifications for the box. For end points based upon
to withstand rough handling is to be evaluated, pack the box obvious damage, choose the height of drop as a height judged
with either the actual contents or with a load simulating the to be sufficient to cause failure to any of the boxes of a
of which procedure is used, close and
contents. Regardless comparison series within a reasonable and convenient
strap the container in the same manner that will be used in number of falls, but also that will not cause failure to any of
preparing it for shipment. the samples in less than five falls. If the approximate drop
resistance of the boxes is unknown, determine this height by
NOTF I-Where the use of actual contents is prohibitive because of
preliminary tests. If the end point is a prescribed number of
excessive cost or danger. a Wdummy" load simulating the contents with
respect to dimensions. center of gravity, moment of inertia. etc,. may be drops, then choose the height of drop by consideration of the
used with accelerometers or other indicating mechanisms,
expected shipment hazards. In the single zone drop proce­
dure (8.10) the height of drop is determined, as the test
6.2 The procedure for identification pf the faces. edges,
progresses, from previous drops.
and corners of box shall be as follows (see Fig. I): Facing one
8.5 In a comparison series where a number of different
end of the box with the manufacturer's joint on the
samples are to be compared use the following procedure:
observer's right if the container is fiberboard, designate the
Test one of the specimens of the first sample, chosen at
top of the box as 1, the right side as 2, the bottom as 3, the
random, followed by the testing of a randomly chosen
left side as 4, the near end as 5, and the far end as 6. Identify
specimen of each of the other samples until one specimen
the edges by the numbers of the two faces that form that
edge: for example, 1-2 identifies the edged formed by the top from each sample has been tested. Follow the same proce­
dure with the remaining specimens of the various samples.
and the right side, and 2-5 the edge formed by the right side
8.6 After the purpose of the test has been designated,
and near end. (The latter is the edge having the
select the procedure from those in 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, or 8.10 and
manufacturer's joint, in fiberboard container.) Identify the
after consulting the outline in Annex A 1 to see which
comers by the numbers of the three faces that meet to form
procedures are applicable. The outline will serve as a
that corner; for example, 1-2-6 identifies the corner where
standard code for completely describing the method chosen.
the top, the right side, and the far end meet.
8.7 Constant-Height'Drop Test-The procedure for the
7. Conditioning
constant-height drop test consists of repeatedly dropping the
7.1 Depending on the purpose of the tests, the boxes may test package from one higher until the end point of the test is
be conditioned prior to the drop test by either a different reached.
4t 0775
8.7.1 Properly position the first specimen in the drop diate height for the drop of the fourth specimen. Likewise,
tester at the chosen height 8.4 and drop upon one member or the choice of the height of drop for each subsequent test
upon several members in a cycle depending upon previous depends upon the results of the preceding drop. Thus, with a
choice (8.3) (Annex AI, Note Al.l). few specimens, a narrow zone of height can be established
8.8 Progressive-Height Drop Test-The procedure for the from which some specimens of a specific sample will fail
progressive-height drop test consists of dropping the test while others will not fail. The width of the failure zone
package a specified number of drops (or a specified cycle) depends to a large extent on the total variability. Determine
from several progressively increasing heights until the end the mean drop height of the failure zone by taking the
average of the lowest height of drop that caused failure in a
point is reached.
single drop and the greatest height of drop that did not cause
8.8.1 Properly position the first specimen in the drop
failure in a single drop. The safe single-drop height is the
tester at the chosen first height of drop (8.4). Drop the
height immediately below the failure zone.
specimen repeatedly from this height for the required
number of drops, or through the required cycle of drops (8.3) 8.10.2 This procedure may be used to measure the
protective ability of a package, in which case it is coded (see·
prior to increasing the height to the second level. Then
AI.2.1.1 (4» or, it may be used to measure the ability of the
increase the height of drop by an increment previously
container to withstand rough handling in which case it will
chosen, at which height the specimen shall be subjected to
be coded as item A 1.1.1.1 (4).
the same number of drops or the same cycle of drops as given
at the first height. Continue the drops or cycles at progres­
9. Report
sively increasing heights until the end point is reached.
(Annex AI. Notes Al.2 and Al.3).
9.1 The report shall include the following:
8.9 Safe-Drop Height-Infinite Number of Drops-This
9.1.l The dimensions of the box under test; its complete
procedure consists essentially of repeated applications of the
structural specifications; kinds of materials; description and
constant-height drop test procedure (8.7) with the difference
specifications for blocking and cushioning, if used; spacing,
that a different height of drop shall be chosen for each
size and kind of fasteners: method of closing and strapping, if
specimen of the sample, which height shall be dependent on
any; and the tare and gross masses.
the results of the testing of the previous specimens. The
9.1.2 A description of the contents of the box under test,
height of drop shall be determined that will not cause failure
9.1.3 Description of apparatus and special instrumenta-
until the specimen package has been subjected to a very large
tion, if used,
number of drops. Then the data obtained in this manner
9.1.4 The procedure used (coded as in Annex AI),
shall be plotted on a graph with the number-of-drops (or
9.1.5 A description of prescribed sequence, if used,
cycles) to failure as abscissa and corresponding height-of­ 9.1.6 A height of drop, if applicable.
drop as ordinate. This plot will give a curve that can be 9.1. 7 Size of the increment if the progressive height drop
considered to approximate a hyperbola. This ordinat~ of the test procedure (8.8) is used.
horizontal asymptote of this curve can be interpreted as 9.1.8 Number of drops (at each incremental height, if
applicable),
representing the height of drop below which failure will not
occur after an infinite number of drops. In practice, this can 9.1.9 Number of specimens tested per sample,
be estimated from inspection of the curve. This procedure 9.1.10 Detailed record of t~st on each box including
may be used with many methods outlined in Annex A I damage to the box and contents. together with any other
which have obvious damage end points. observation which may assist in correctly interpreting the
8.10 Single-Drop Tesl-The single-drop test consists of results or aid in improving the design of the box or the
method of packing. blocking. or hracing,
finding the failure zon
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