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
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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
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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
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and are not considered standard. Packages—Vibration Test at Fixed Low Frequency
ISO 8318 Packaging—Complete, Filled Transport
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Packages—Vibration Tests Using a Variable Frequency
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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.
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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
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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.
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Electronic Components and Electrical Equipment, available from American Na- Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
tional St
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