Standard Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load

SCOPE
1.1 This test method is designed to determine the resistance of a shipping container to a vertically applied constant load for either a specified time or to failure. The test method may also, include, for example, a package of a shipping container, palletized or unitized loads.  
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 whoever uses this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.

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Publication Date
09-Apr-2000
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ASTM D4577-00 - Standard Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 4577 – 00
Standard Test Method for
Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant
Load
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4577; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope magnitude, direction, and sense.
1.1 This test method is designed to determine the resistance
4. Significance and Use
of a shipping container to a vertically applied constant load for
4.1 In the distribution system for many products there is a
either a specified time or to failure. The test method may also,
phase wherein the packaged product may be stored for a period
include, for example, a package of a shipping container,
of time in a manner such that one or more containers are
palletized or unitized loads.
superimposed one upon the other. The bottom package is thus
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
continually stressed with a constant load.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 This test method subjects a container, empty or filled, to
responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and
a predetermined static load, and to specified atmospheric
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
conditions, if required.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.
5. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents 5.1 The testing apparatus shall be capable of imposing a
constant load on the test specimen and may be hydraulically,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pneumatically, or mechanically activated, similar to that shown
D 642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resis-
in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. It shall contain two platens, or suitable
tance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit
framework and fixturing, one stationary and one movable in
Loads
the vertical direction. The one platen should be swiveled and
D 644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper and
2 should have proper mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic link-
Paperboard by Oven Drying
ages to permit top-to-bottom loading. If the floor where the test
D 685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products
2 is to be conducted is subject to severe vibration, it may be
for Testing
necessary to vibration-isolate the test apparatus. The test
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
2 device should have a timer for measuring the period of time
ments
required to cause container failure and means such as a dial
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
2 indicator to measure box deformation (inches or millimetres)
Packaging Components for Testing
while under load, or an autographic recording device that
D 4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
3 records load and deformation over a period of time.
ment of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
5.2 Closing Equipment for Fiberboard Boxes—When
3. Terminology empty boxes are to be tested, suitable closing facilities such as
sealing boards and proper adhesive for closing the flaps of box
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for the packaging and
specimens shall be used. See Test Method D 642.
distribution environments are found in Terminology D 996.
5.3 Conditioning Apparatus—Adequate facilities shall be
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
provided to maintain a conditioned atmosphere of temperature
3.2.1 load—the force in newtons applied to a body.
and humidity as required for the purpose of the test.
3.2.2 constant load—a load that is invariable or unchang-
5.4 Miscellaneous Equipment—Drying oven, scales, knife,
ing.
saws, etc., for use in determination of the moisture content or
3.2.3 static load—an imposed stationary force, constant in
for making other supplementary tests of the materials from
which the containers are made.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-10 on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.22 on Handling and
6. Safety Precautions
Transportation.
Current edition approved April 10, 2000. Published June 2000. Originally 6.1 Performance of a test should never be considered
published as D 4577 – 86. Last previous edition D 4577 – 94.
without regard to safety. Some apparent precautions against
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
injuries are:
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 4577
FIG. 1 Containers Under Constant Load
6.1.1 Care and caution should be observed while placing the 7.2 Performance normally should be based on tests of not
shipping container filled or unfilled on the testing apparatus. fewer than five representative specimens of a given size and
6.1.2 The testing apparatus should have load arrestors or type of container.
safety interlocks to prevent complete crushing of the container
8. Closing Fiberboard Containers Using Adhesive
after initial failure.
8.1 Close the box specimen so as to avoid distortions that
7. Test Specimens and Number of Tests
may affect its loadbearing ability. The method of preparing the
7.1 The containers being tested shall be complete in all
test specimen as described in the Annex of Test Method D 642
respects. Depending on the purpose of the test, interior packing
will accomplish this, but any method that will produce the
may or may not be included. No related bracing material within
same results may be used.
the boxes that will give false results as to sample behavior shall
9. Conditioning
be used. Tests may be made on containers with or without
contents as prescribed. Packed containers should be closed and 9.1 When required, the container should be conditioned for
secured in the same manner as will be used in preparing them the static load test by exposure to fixed or controlled variable
for shipment (for example, tape, strapping). conditions of temperature and humidity.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 4577
FIG. 2 Individual Containers Under Constant Load
9.1.1 Where applicable, a special atmosphere selected from 10.2 In many cases, the acceptance criteria of a package that
those specified in Practice D 4332 may be used. has been subjected to the test plan can be one of the following:
9.2 The test container shall be preconditioned in the desired Criterion 1—Product is damage-free.
atmosphere for such a time as is necessary to bring the Criterion 2—Package is intact.
container into equilibrium with that atmosphere and using the Other acceptance criteria, including provision for accepting
techniques given in Practice D 685. minimal damage to the product or package, may be indicated.
Acceptance criteria may include a provision for the condition
10. Acceptance Criteria
of package. The form and content of acceptance criteria may
10.1 Acceptance criteria must be established prior to testing
vary widely, according to the particular situation. Criteria may
and should consider the required condition of the product at
range from the most rudimentary to highly quantitative scoring
receipt. The organizations conducting the test may choose any
or analysis systems.
acceptance criteria suitable for their purpose. It is advisable to
11. Procedure
compare test results from proposed containers with the test
results on similar containers whose shipping history is known. 11.1 Prior to test, select the constant load to which the
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 4577
container will be subjected. The selection may be based on: and lo
...

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