ASTM F355-95

Standard Test Method for Shock-Absorbing Properties of Playing Surface Systems and Materials

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of certain shock-absorbing characteristics, the impact force-time relationships, and the rebound properties of playing surface systems. This test method is applicable to natural and artificial playing surface systems and to components thereof. Typical playing surfaces are wrestling mats, football fields, soccer fields, playgrounds, and so forth.Note 1—This test method may also be used to measure the shock-attenuation properties of materials used as protective padding, such as the padding on trampoline frames, football goal posts, gymnasium wall, shoulder pads, body padding, and so forth. It should not be used, without some modifications, to test the finished products.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 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: 09-Nov-2001
• ICS: 97.200.40 - Playgrounds
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.52 - Miscellaneous Playing Surfaces

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F355-01 - Standard Test Method for Shock-Absorbing Properties of Playing Surface Systems and Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F381-16 - Standard Safety Specification for Components, Assembly, Use, and Labeling of Consumer Trampolines
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F3146-18 - Standard Test Method for Impact Attenuation of Turf Playing Systems Designated for Rugby
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F1936-19 - Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Turf Playing Systems as Measured in the Field
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D4819-13(2021)e1 - Standard Specification for Flexible Cellular Materials Made From Polyolefin Plastics
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D3575-20 - Standard Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials Made from Olefin Polymers
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F1487-21 - Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F1702-10(2018) - Standard Test Method for Measuring Impact-Attenuation Characteristics of Natural Playing Surface Systems Using a Lightweight Portable Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F3102-15 - Standard Guide for Specifying, Measuring, and Managing Impact Attenuation of Synthetic Turf Playing Systems (Withdrawn 2024)
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F1551-09(2017) - Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F1015-21 - Standard Test Method for Relative Abrasiveness of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F1292-22 - Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F2970-22 - Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, Installation, Operation, Maintenance, Inspection and Major Modification of Trampoline Courts
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F2374-22 - Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, Operation, and Maintenance of Inflatable Amusement Devices
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E1476-04(2022) - Standard Guide for Metals Identification, Grade Verification, and Sorting
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 355 – 95
Standard Test Method for
Shock-Absorbing Properties of Playing Surface Systems
and Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 355; 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 2.2 SAE Standard:
SAE Recommended J 211 Oct. 90 Instrumentation for Im-
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of certain
pact Tests, Requirements for Channel Class 1000
shock-absorbing characteristics, the impact force-time relation-
ships, and the rebound properties of playing surface systems.
3. Terminology
This test method is applicable to natural and artificial playing
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
surface systems and to components thereof. Typical playing
3.1.1 playing surface system—a composite that includes the
surfaces are wrestling mats, football fields, soccer fields,
contact surface, energy-absorbing materials, if any, and the
playgrounds, etc.
substrates.
NOTE 1—This test method may also be used to measure the shock-
3.1.2 base line—the starting reference plane of the playing
attenuation properties of materials used as protective padding, such as the
surface system from which the total penetration is determined.
padding on trampoline frames, football goal posts, gymnasium wall,
It is taken as the top plane of the playing surface system, when
shoulder pads, body padding, etc. It should not be used, without some
subjected to a static compression of 1 kPa (0.14 psi) for
modifications, to test the finished products.
Procedure A or the weight of missile for Procedure B, unless
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
otherwise specified.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1.3 acceleration—the instantaneous time rate of change
only.
of velocity which may be positive or negative.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.4 G—the ratio of the magnitude of missile acceleration
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
during impact to the acceleration of gravity, expressed in the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
same units.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.5 G —the maximum value of G encountered during
max
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
impact.
3.1.6 severity index—an arbitrary parameter equal to the
2. Referenced Documents
2.5
integral of G dt over the total duration of impact.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.7 head injury criteria (HIC)—a measure of impact
D 1596 Test Method for Dynamic Shock Cushioning Char-
severity that takes into account the duration over which the
acteristics of Packaging Materials
most critical section of the deceleration pulse persists as well as
E 105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
the peak level of that deceleration.
E 122 Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate the
3.1.8 impact velocity—the velocity of the missile as it
Average Quality of a Lot or Process
crosses the base line on impact.
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
3.1.9 rebound velocity—the velocity of the missile as it
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
crosses the base line on rebound.
F 1292 Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface
3.1.10 time to G —the difference between the time the
4 max
Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment
missile crosses the base line on impact and the time G is
max
reached.
3.1.11 dynamic hardness index—the stress on a material due
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-8 on Sports
to rapid indentation by a moving missile with the geometry
Equipment, Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
described in Procedure A.
F08.52 on Playing Surfaces and Facilities.
Current edition approved March 15, 1995. Published May 1995. Originally
published as F 355 – 72. Last previous edition F 355 – 94.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
3 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. Available from Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Drive,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.07. Warrendale, PA 15096.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 355
3.1.12 time to maximum penetration—the difference be-
tween the time the missile crosses the base line on impact and
the time maximum penetration is reached.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A test specimen is impacted at a specified velocity with
a missile of given mass and geometry. A transducer mounted in
the missile monitors the acceleration-time history of the
impact, which is recorded with the aid of an oscilloscope or
other recording device. Optionally, with the use of penetration
measuring devices, the displacement history of the impact may
also be recorded.
4.2 The three procedures covered in this method are as
follows:
4.2.1 Procedure A uses a cylindrical missile with a circular,
flat, metal impacting surface with specified mass, geometry,
and impact velocity appropriate for the intended end use.
4.2.2 Procedure B uses a missile with a hemispherical,
metal impacting surface of specified mass, radius, and impact
velocity appropriate for the intended end use.
4.2.3 Procedure C uses the ANSI C size metal headform
with a specified mass, geometry, and impact velocity appro-
priate for the end use. For the purposes of this test method, the
positioning of the headform shall be such that all impacts occur
on the crown.
4.2.4 The specific mass and geometry of the missiles for
each procedure are detailed in 6.2.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Dynamic data obtained by these procedures are indica-
tive of the cushioning properties of the playing surface systems
and materials under the specific conditions selected.
NOTE 1—All dimensions in inches (1 in. 5 25.4 mm).
6. Apparatus
FIG. 1 Contour Dimensions of Test Headform for Procedure C
6.1 Testing Machine—Any type of dynamic testing appara-
tus that impacts the test material on a massive, rigid anvil with
acceleration-time recording equipment, including transducers
a missile at a prescribed impact velocity and monitors and
and recorders, is optional. However, the recording system shall
records the acceleration-time history is acceptable. The anvil
have a frequency response adequate to measure the peak
mass (impacted base) should be at least 100 times that of the
acceleration value to an accuracy of6 5 % of the true value.
missile. The test apparatus may optionally be designed to test
The total system, detection and recording, shall be capable of
a playing surface in-place. In either case, the test specimen
measuring impulses up to 500 g at frequencies from 2 to 1000
shall have dimensions larger than the impact area of the missile
Hz to an accuracy of 65 %. The minimum system sampling
as specified in 7.1. The test machine and missile shall have
rate required is 16 000 Hz or 16 000 samples/s. The accelera-
sufficient rigidity to eliminate undesirable vibrations in the
tion data channel should comply with SAE Recommended
apparatus that might be recorded on the acceleration-time
J 211 Oct. 90 (a low pass filter having a 4-pole Butterworth
curve.
transfer function and a corner frequency of 1650 Hz meets this
6.2 Missile—The missile shall be designed to meet the
requirement). Digital filtering at 1650 Hz can be substituted.
general requirements of 4.2.1-4.2.3. Provision shall be made
6.3.2 Impact and Rebound Velocities—The dynamic test
such that the accelerometer can be securely fastened within
equipment must have means of recording these velocities of the
65° of the vertical axis of the missile.
missile to an accuracy of 65 % of the true value. Any method
that does not physically interfere with the impact and give
NOTE 2—The following mass and geometry are specified for each
2 2
erroneous acceleration-time results is acceptable.
procedure. Procedure A—A 9.1 kg (20 lb) missile with a 129 cm (20 in. )
6.3.3 Displacement Time—It is optional, but desirable, that
face with a circumference relieved to eliminate sharp edges is recom-
mended, Procedure B—A missile having a mass of 6.8 kg (15 lb) and a
the displacement-time history also be recorded. Any method
radius of 82.6 mm (3.25 in.) is recommended, Procedure C—A missile
that provides a linear signal proportional to displacement along
having a mass of 5.0 kg (11.0 lb) and a geometry as specified in Fig. 1.
the impact axis which can be monitored coincidentally with the
6.3 Recording Equipment—The recording equipment shall acceleration-time trace is acceptable. If displacement is re-
meet the following criteria: corded, the test equipment shall have means to determine and
6.3.1 Acceleration-Time—The selection of the specific record the top plane (base line) of the playing surface system
F 355
from which total penetration is determined (see 3.1.2). determine the base line with the sample at the desired test
6.3.4 In the event that a means is available for accurately temperature.
determining both the impact and rebound velocities, it is
NOTE 4—When using Procedures B or C, care should be exercised to
possible to perform two time integrations to yield the
lower the missile gently onto
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