ASTM D999-08(2023)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
Standard Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Shipping containers are exposed to complex dynamic stresses when subjected to vibration present in all transportation vehicles. Approximating the actual damage, or lack of damage, experienced in shipping may require subjecting the container(s) and contents to vibration inputs.
4.2 Resonant responses during shipment can be severe and may lead to package or product failure. Identification of critical frequencies, and the nature of package stresses can aid in minimizing the effect of these occurrences.
4.3 Vibration tests should be based on representative field data. When possible, the confidence level may be improved by comparing laboratory test results with actual field shipment data. It is highly recommended that one understand the most common failures to one’s products and packaging in distribution, and then attempt to replicate those failures in the laboratory. Once such replication is established, then that test can become the minimum necessary test for future packaged products to pass.
4.4 Exposure to vibration can affect the shipping container, its interior packaging, means of closure, and contents. These tests allow analysis of the interaction of these components. Design modification to one or more of these components may be utilized to achieve optimum performance in the shipping environment.
4.5 Methods A1 and A2, Repetitive Shock Tests, are suitable for tests of individual containers that are transported unrestrained on the bed of a vehicle and may be suitable for tests of containers that might be subjected to repetitive shocks due to magnification of vibrations in unit loads or stacks.
Note 1: Methods A1 and A2 produce different vibration motions, and therefore, will generate different forces which may result in different damage modes and intensities. Results from these two methods may not correlate with one another.
4.6 Method B, Single Container Resonance Test, tests or determines the ability of an individual container and its inter...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover vibration tests of filled shipping containers. Such tests may be used to assess the performance of a container, with its interior packing and means of closure, both in terms of its strength and of the protection it provides its contents when it is subjected to vibration such as it experiences in transportation. These procedures are suitable for testing containers of any form, material, kind, design of interior packing, means of closure, and any size and weight. They are not intended for determining the response of products to vibration for product design purposes, nor are they intended for tests of products in their operational configuration as other more suitable procedures are available for these purposes.2,3
1.2 The following methods appear:
Method A1—Repetitive Shock Test (Vertical Motion).
Method A2—Repetitive Shock Test (Rotary Motion).
Method B—Single Container Resonance Test.
Method C—Palletized Load, Unitized Load, or Vertical
Stack Resonance Test.
1.3 For testing of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) containing liquid hazardous materials, refer to Test Method D7387.
1.4 These test methods fulfill the requirements of International Organization for Standardization standards ISO 8318 and ISO 2247. The ISO standards may not meet the requirements for these methods.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 6.
1.7 This internatio...
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D999 − 08 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Methods for
Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D999; 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 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 These test methods cover vibration tests of filled ship-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ping containers. Such tests may be used to assess the perfor-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mance of a container, with its interior packing and means of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
closure, both in terms of its strength and of the protection it
Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 6.
provides its contents when it is subjected to vibration such as
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
it experiences in transportation. These procedures are suitable
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
for testing containers of any form, material, kind, design of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
interior packing, means of closure, and any size and weight.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
They are not intended for determining the response of products
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
to vibration for product design purposes, nor are they intended
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
for tests of products in their operational configuration as other
2,3
more suitable procedures are available for these purposes.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 The following methods appear:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Method A1—Repetitive Shock Test (Vertical Motion).
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
Method A2—Repetitive Shock Test (Rotary Motion).
ments
Method B—Single Container Resonance Test.
D3580 Test Methods for Vibration (Vertical Linear Motion)
Method C—Palletized Load, Unitized Load, or Vertical
Test of Products
Stack Resonance Test.
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
tainers and Systems
1.3 For testing of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) con-
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
taining liquid hazardous materials, refer to Test Method
Packaging Components for Testing
D7387.
D7387 Test Method for Vibration Testing of Intermediate
1.4 These test methods fulfill the requirements of Interna-
Bulk Containers (IBCs) Used for Shipping Liquid Haz-
tional Organization for Standardization standards ISO 8318
ardous Materials (Dangerous Goods)
and ISO 2247. The ISO standards may not meet the require-
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With
ments for these methods.
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
Lot or Process
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 2.2 ISO Standards:
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only ISO 2247 Packaging—Complete, Filled Transport
and are not considered standard. Packages—Vibration Test at Fixed Low Frequency
ISO 8318 Packaging—Complete, Filled Transport
Packages—Vibration Tests Using a Variable Frequency
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
3. Terminology
Packaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
3.1 Definitions:
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally
approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D999 – 08 (2015).
DOI: 10.1520/D0999-08R23.
2 4
Military Standard Environmental Test Methods, MIL-STD-810F, Method 514, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Vibration, available from www.dodssp.daps.mil/dodssp.htm. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
International Electrotechnical Commission Recommendation, Publication 68- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2-6, Part 2, Test F: Vibration, Basic Environmental Testing Procedures for the ASTM website.
Electronic Components and Electrical Equipment, available from American Na- Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
tional Standards Institute, Inc., 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D999 − 08 (2023)
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in these test methods, see packaging to protect the contents from transportation vibration,
Terminology D996. particularly when the container and its contents might exhibit
3.1.2 double amplitude, n—the maximum value of a sinu- resonant responses.
soidal quantity (peak-to-peak).
NOTE 2—Individual products that are palletized might be better tested
3.1.3 octave, n—the interval between two frequencies hav- using Method C.
ing a ratio of two (2).
4.7 Method C, Palletized Load, Unitized Load or Vertical
3.1.4 power spectral density (PSD), n—used to quantify the Stack Resonance Test, covers the determination of the presence
intensity of random vibration in terms of mean-square accel- and the effects of resonance in palletized loads and multiple-
2 2 2
eration per unit of frequency. The units are g /Hz ((m/s ) /Hz), unit stacked loads, and whether or not the strength of the
where g is the acceleration of gravity, equal to 386 in./s (9.8 containers is sufficient to withstand dynamic loads when
m/s ). Power spectral density is the limiting mean square value stacked.
in a given rectangular bandwidth divided by the bandwidth, as
4.8 Any or all of these test methods may be employed, as
the bandwidth approaches zero.
determined by the appropriate performance specification, with
3.1.5 repetitive shock, n—impacts of a package on a test
test intensities, frequency ranges, and test durations as called
platform which occur cyclically from input oscillatory motion.
for in the specification. Although these tests do not simulate the
shipping environment, they are intended to create the damage-
3.1.6 resonance, n—for a system undergoing forced
producing potential of the shipping environment. Results of
vibration, the frequency at which any change of the exciting
any one of these methods may differ from the results of the
frequency, positive and negative, in the vicinity of the exciting
others.
frequency causes a decrease in the response of the system.
4. Significance and Use 5. Apparatus
5.1 Method A1—Repetitive Shock Test (Vertical Motion):
4.1 Shipping containers are exposed to complex dynamic
stresses when subjected to vibration present in all transporta- 5.1.1 Vibration Test Machine, with a platform having a
horizontal surface of sufficient strength and rigidity so that the
tion vehicles. Approximating the actual damage, or lack of
damage, experienced in shipping may require subjecting the applied vibrations are essentially uniform over the entire test
surface when loaded with the test specimen. The platform shall
container(s) and contents to vibration inputs.
be supported by a mechanism that vibrates it so the motion is
4.2 Resonant responses during shipment can be severe and
approximately a vertical sinusoidal input. (A rotary motion of
may lead to package or product failure. Identification of critical
the platform is not acceptable.) The double amplitude displace-
frequencies, and the nature of package stresses can aid in
ment of the vibration shall be fixed at or controlled to 1 in. (25
minimizing the effect of these occurrences.
mm), and the frequency shall be variable within the range from
4.3 Vibration tests should be based on representative field
2 to at least 5 Hz (cycles per second). The vibration test
data. When possible, the confidence level may be improved by
machine shall be equipped with fences, barricades, or other
comparing laboratory test results with actual field shipment
restraints to keep the test specimen from falling off the
data. It is highly recommended that one understand the most
platform without restricting its vertical motion.
common failures to one’s products and packaging in
5.2 Method A2—Repetitive Shock Test (Rotary Motion):
distribution, and then attempt to replicate those failures in the
5.2.1 Vibration Test Machine, with a platform having a
laboratory. Once such replication is established, then that test
horizontal surface of sufficient strength and rigidity so that the
can become the minimum necessary test for future packaged
applied vibrations are essentially uniform over the entire test
products to pass.
surface when loaded with the test specimen. The platform shall
4.4 Exposure to vibration can affect the shipping container,
be supported by a mechanism that vibrates it so that the motion
its interior packaging, means of closure, and contents. These
is a rotational input with the vertical component approximately
tests allow analysis of the interaction of these components.
sinusoidal. The double amplitude displacement of the vibration
Design modification to one or more of these components may
shall be fixed at 1 in. (25 mm), and frequency shall be variable
be utilized to achieve optimum performance in the shipping
from 2 to at least 5 Hz (cycles per second). The vibration test
environment.
machine shall be equipped with fences, barricades, or other
restraints to keep the test specimen from falling off the
4.5 Methods A1 and A2, Repetitive Shock Tests, are suitable
platform without restricting its vertical motion.
for tests of individual containers that are transported unre-
strained on the bed of a vehicle and may be suitable for tests of
5.3 Metal Shim:
containers that might be subjected to repetitive shocks due to
5.3.1 A metal shim is used in Methods A1 and A2 for
magnification of vibrations in unit loads or stacks.
determining when the shipping container is leaving the testing
platform by a sufficient amount as described in Section 9.
NOTE 1—Methods A1 and A2 produce different vibration motions, and
therefore, will generate different forces which may result in different 5.3.2 Specifications for metal shim used in Methods A1 and
damage modes and intensities. Results from these two methods may not
A2:
correlate with one another.
Width: 50 mm (20. in.) minimum
4.6 Method B, Single Container Resonance Test, tests or Thickness: 1.6 mm ( ⁄16 in.)
Length: 254 mm (10 in.) minimum
determines the ability of an individual container and its interior
D999 − 08 (2023)
unacceptable for use (for example, package testing for hazardous materi-
5.4 Methods B and C—Resonance Tests:
als). For packaging intended to contain liquid dangerous goods (hazardous
5.4.1 Vibration Test Machine, with a platform having a
materials), water should be used as the standard test medium.
horizontal surface of sufficient strength and rigidity so that the
7.2 Sensors and transducers may be applied with the mini-
applied vibrations are essentially uniform over the entire test
mum possible alteration of the test specimen, to obtain data on
surface when loaded with the test specimen. The platform shall
the container or packaged item. When it is necessary to observe
be supported by a mechanism capable of producing vibration in
the contents during the test, holes may be cut in noncritical
the vertical linear plane at controlled accelerations or
areas of the container.
displacements, or both, over a controlled continuously variable
range of frequencies. (A rotary motion of the platform is not
7.3 Whenever sufficient containers and contents are
acceptable.) Suitable fixtures and attachment points shall be
available, it is highly desirable that five or more replicate tests
provided to rigidly attach the test container to the platform for
be conducted to improve the statistical reliability of the data
Method B. Restraints shall be provided to restrain the horizon-
obtained (see Practice E122).
tal motion of the test specimens on the platform without
8. Conditioning
restricting the vertical motion of the specimen(s), for Method
C. 8.1 Condition test specimens prior to the test or during the
test, or both, in accordance with the requirements of the
5.5 Instrumentation—Accelerometers, signal conditioners,
applicable specification. When no conditioning requirements
and data display or storage devices are required to measure and
are given, and the container materials are climatically sensitive,
control the accelerations at the test surface in Methods B and
a conditioning atmosphere is recommended (see Practice
C. Instrumentation may also be desirable for monitoring the
D4332 for standard and special conditions).
response of the containers and packaged items. The instrumen-
tation system shall have a response accurate to within 65 %
9. Procedure
over the range specified for the test. Accelerometers should be
9.1 Methods A1 and A2—Repetitive Shock Tests:
small and light weight enough as to not influence the response
9.1.1 Place the shipping container on the test machine
of the item being measured nor influence the results of the test.
platform in its normal shipping orientation.
Detailed information on suitable instrumentation may be found
9.1.1.1 For Method A1, place the shipping container in the
in the Shock and Vibration Handbook.
center of the platform. For Method A2, place the shipping
5.6 Conditioning Apparatus—Adequate facilities shall be
container near the backstop or fence, equidistant from each
provided for conditioning test specimens at selected humidity
side of the platform.
and temperature prior to or during the test, or both, in
9.1.1.2 Restraining devices may be needed to prevent the
accordance with the requirements of the applicable specifica-
shipping container from moving horizontally or to prevent
tion.
excessive rocking. Restraining devices may effect the vertical
movement of the shipping container and attention must be
6. Safety Precautions
given to how and where restraints are used.
6.1 These test methods may produce severe mechanical 9.1.1.3 When restraining devices are used, orient and adjust
responses of the test specimens
...
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