Designation:D5276–98(Reapproved2004)
Standard Test Method for
Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall1
This standard is issued under thefixed designation D5276;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
1.1This test method covers procedures for the drop testing of loaded boxes,cylindrical containers,and bags and sacks by the free-fall method.
1.2For containers not exceeding110lb(50kg),this test method fulfills the requirements of ISO Standards2206:1987 and2248:1985.Caution—These ISO standards may describe procedures that do not meet the requirements for this test method.
1.3The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4This 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 appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2.Referenced Documents
2.1ASTM Standards:2
D585Practice for Sampling and Accepting a Single Lot of Paper,Paperboard,Fiberboard,and Related Product
D644Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper and Paperboard by Oven Drying
D880Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Con-tainers and Systems
D996Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-ments
D2463Test Method for Drop Impact Resistance of Blow-Molded Thermoplastic Containers
D4003Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
D4169Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-tainers and Systems
D4332Practice for Conditioning Containers,Packages,or
Packaging Components for Testing
D6055Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
D6179Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
E122Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate a Measure of Quality for a Lot or Process
E680Test Method for Drop Weight Impact Sensitivity of Solid-Phase Hazardous Materials
2.2ISO Standards:
ISO2206Packaging—Complete Filled Transport Packages, Identification of Parts When Testing3
ISO2248Packaging—Complete Filled Transport Packages, Vertical Impact Test by Dropping3
2.3Code of Federal Regulations:
editor evaluating revisionTitle49—Transportation(49CFR)4
3.Terminology
3.1Definitions—General terms for packaging and distribu-tion environments are found in Terminology D996.
3.2Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1cylinder—for the purposes of this test method,a cylinder includes substantially cylindrical containers such as barrels,drums,kegs,and pails(fiber,metal,plastic,or wood,or combinations thereof).
3.2.2member—a face,corner,or edge of a rectangular container;a chime,end,or sidewall of a cylindrical container; or a face,edge,corner,or butt of a bag or sack.
4.Significance and Use
4.1This test method is intended for use in evaluating the capability of a container to withstand the sudden shock resulting from a free fall,or to evaluate the capability of a container and its inner packing to protect its contents during the sudden shock resulting from a free fall.This test method may also be used to compare the performance of different package designs.This test method may also permit observation of the progressive failure of a container and the damage to its contents.
1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.22on Handling and Transportation.
Current edition approved April10,1998.Published February1999.Originally published as D5276–92.Last previous edition D5276–94.
2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,,or contact ASTM Customer Service at For Annual Book of ASTM Standards volume information,refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3Available from the American National Standards Institute,11W.42nd St.,13th Floor.,New York,NY10036.
4Available from the Superintendent of Documents,U.S.Government Printing Office,Washington,DC20402.
1
Copyright©ASTM International,100Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA19428-2959,United States.
4.2This test method is particularly suitable for containers that are normally handled manually during some part of their distribution cycle.Containers of such bulk or mass that they cannot be handled manually may be tested more satisfactorily in accordance with Test Method D880,Test Methods D6055, Test Methods D6179,or Test Methods D4003.See Practice D4169for additional guidance.
5.Apparatus
5.1Free-Fall Drop Test Equipment,conforming to the following requirements:
5.1.1It shall permit the container to be placed,prior to release,in a position that will ensure correct orientation,within 2degrees upon impact,forflat-face drops orflat drops on ends or sidewalls of cylindrical containers,and within5°upon impact for other drops,such as edge drops and corner drops for rectangular containers,bags,and sacks and diagonal drops on chimes on cylindrical containers.
5.1.2It shall permit accurate control of the drop from specified heights.
5.1.3It shall utilize lifting devices that will not damage the test container.
5.1.4It shall provide a release mechanism that does not impart vertical,rotational,or sideways forces to the test container.If drop leaves are used,the apparatus shall provide a spring or other mechanism so that the leaves do not interfere with a free,unobstructed fall.
5.1.5It shall provide an impact surface,horizontal andflat, massive enough to be immovable and rigid enough to be nondeformable under the test conditions.
5.1.5.1The impact surface shall be of concrete,stone,or steel.If the dropping surface is a steel plate,it must be at least 1⁄2in.(13mm)thick and must be anchoredfirmly to the mass. N OTE1—Grout(a thin mortar used tofill crevices)is recommended over the entire surface of the mass below the plate to ensure positive contact.
5.1.5.2The impact surface shall be integral with a mass at least50times that of the heaviest container to be tested. Neither the depth nor width of the mass shall be less than half the length.
5.1.5.3For drop testing of containers not exceeding110lb (50kg),the impact surface shall beflat,such that no two points on the surface differ in level by more than5⁄64in.(2mm). 5.1.5.4The impact surface shall be rigid,such that it will not be deformed by more than0.0039in.(0.1mm)when an area of0.1550in.2(100mm2)is loaded statically with22.05lb (10kg)anywhere on the surface.
5.1.5.5The impact surface shall be sufficiently large to ensure that the containers being tested fall entirely upon the surface.
5.1.6A rupture hazard may be used for determining the rupture resistance of cylindrical containers or bags.Unless otherwise specified,the rupture hazard should consist of a4by 4-in.(102by102-mm)timber,of oak or other wood of equivalent hardness,approximately4ft(1.2m)long,having the edges rounded to a radius of not more than1⁄4in.(
6.35 mm).
5.1.
6.1For testing of49CFR—DOT21Cfiber drums,a2 by6-in.(51by152-mm)timber,with a6-in.(152-mm)vertical dimension,shall be used.The drum shall be dropped at right angles to the timber.The drop height shall be measured from the top of the timber.
5.1.7For very large containers,it may be necessary to use a hoist,sling,and tripping devices,or a solenoid-operated drop test mechanism and suspension devices,such as those de-scribed in Appendix X1.
5.1.8Conditioning Apparatus—Adequate facilities shall be provided for conditioning test specimens at the proper humid-ity and temperature prior to testing,in accordance with the specification covering the containers to be tested.
5.1.8.1Conditioning—Depending on the purpose of the tests,containers may be conditioned prior to the drop test by either a different physical test,water immersion,exposure to water spray,or exposure to standard or otherfixed air tempera-ture or humidity conditions.It is recommended that special atmospheres for conditioning be selected from those given in Practice D4332.Unless otherwise specified,fiber-board or paperboard containers shall be conditioned in accordance with the preconditioning and standard conditioning atmospheres specified in Practice D4332(see also Practice D4169for additional guidance).
5.1.8.2Where the moisture content offiberboard containers is determined,it should be determined in accordance with Test Method D644.
6.Sampling
6.1The test specimens and number of samples shall be chosen to permit an adequate determination of representative performance.Practice E122is recommended.Unless other-wise specified,Practice D585shall be used for acceptance testing offiberboard containers.
6.2In the absence of any sampling plan,at least three representative specimens should be selected for performance evaluation.
7.Test Specimens
7.1When the protective capability of a container is to be evaluated,it is preferable to pack the container with the actual contents for which it was designed(Note2).When the capability of a container to withstand rough handling is to be evaluated,pack the container with either the actual contents or a load simulating the contents.Regardless of which procedure is used,close the container in the same manner that will be used in preparing it for shipment.
N OTE2—Where the use of actual contents is not feasible because of excessive cost or danger,a dummy load simulating the contents with respect to dimensions,center of gravity,moment of inertia,density,flow characteristics,etc.may be used.Accelerometers or other indicating mechanisms may be installed.
7.2Close and seal the container in the normal manner.Dry and age sufficiently so that any adhesive,protective coatings, sealing tape,and so forth will have reached theirfinal normal
condition.
8.Procedure
8.1Identify members as specified in Annex A1,by marking, at a minimum,Faces1,2,and5of rectangular containers; Positions1,3,5,and7of cylindrical containers;and Faces1, 4,and5of sacks and bags.
8.2Unless otherwise specified,establish failure criteria prior to the commencement of testing.(See Practice D4169, Acceptance Criteria.)
8.3Test containers that have been conditioned in the con-ditioned atmosphere or immediately upon removal from that atmosphere.
8.4Conduct drop test procedures by dropping the container on either one member or several different members in a prescribed sequence(cyclical testing).
8.4.1When the container is to be droppedflat on a face, position it so that,upon impact,there is no more than a2°angle between the plane of this face and the impact surface.
8.4.2When a rectangular container or bag is to be dropped on an edge,position it so that,upon impact,this edge makes no more than a2°angle with the impact surface,and the plane containing this edge and the center of gravity of the container makes no more than a5°angle with the vertical.
8.4.3When a rectangular container or bag is to be dropped on a corner,position it so that,upon impact,the line containing this corner and the center of gravity of the container makes no more than a5°angle with the vertical.
8.4.4When a cylindrical container is to be dropped on either
a chime or a circumferential edge,position it so that,upon impact,a plane containing this edge and the center of gravity of the container makes no more than a5°angle with the vertical plane perpendicular to the drop surface.
8.4.5When determining the rupture resistance of cylindrical containers or bags,place a rupture hazard(see5.1.6)on the target surface,and position it so that,unless otherwise speci-fied,the center of the cylinder sidewall or face edge or butt of the bag impacts across the hazard.
8.4.6Before each drop of a bag or sack,distribute the contents uniformly throughout the bag or sack.
8.5Height of Drop—Determine the height of the drop by measuring from the bottom surface,edge,or corner of the container to the impact surface.
9.Report
9.1Report the following information:
9.1.1Reference to this test method,including a statement to the effect that all tests were conducted in full compliance with the requirements of this test method,or noting any variations and their details.
9.1.2Dimensions of the container under testing;complete structural specifications;kinds of materials;description and specifications for blocking and cushioning,if used;spacing, size,and type of fasteners;method of closing and strapping,if any;drying and aging time,if any;and tare and gross masses.
9.1.3Description of the contents of the container under testing and,if not tested with the actual contents intended to be shipped,description of these actual contents.
9.1.4Number of specimens tested per sample.
9.1.5Method of conditioning the container,if any;moisture content of the wood,plywood,orfiberboard,if determined; and results of any supplementary tests of the materials from which the container is made.
9.1.6Description of apparatus and special instrumentation, if used.
9.1.7Whether a4by4timber was used as a hazard.Where
a hazard other than that specified in5.1.6is used,a description of the hazard used.
9.1.8Details of the failure criteria used.
9.1.9Member(s)tested(see Annex A1).
9.1.10Description of the prescribed test sequence,if used.
9.1.11Drop height(s).
9.1.12Size of the increment,if a variable height drop test procedure is used.
9.1.13Number of drops(at each incremental height,if applicable).
9.1.14Detailed record of the test results for each container, including damage to the container and contents,together with any other observation that may assist in interpreting the results correctly or aid in improving the design of the container or method of packaging,blocking,or bracing.
9.1.15Where a mean failure height is determined by drop-ping,a statement of this mean and the estimated standard deviation and level of confidence.
9.1.16Name and address of the testing agency,date,and signature of a responsible representative of the testing agency.
10.Precision and Bias
10.1Precision5:
10.1.1A precision statement is not applicable when the drop test is conducted at a specified drop height to determine conformance with established acceptance criteria.
10.1.2When the drop test is conducted to determine the drop height to failure,the observed precision is a combination of the precision of the test method(including apparatus, operators,etc.)and the precision of the packaged product being tested.Experience has shown that the observed precision is highly dependent on the particular packaged item being tested. Research Report D10–1004describes an interlaboratory test program of three packaged items,establishing drop heights to failure.The mean drop heights to failure for the three types of packaging were39,42.6,and47.7in.(991,1083,and1212 mm).The repeatability(within laboratory)standard deviation ranged from3to10in.(75to250mm)for these items.The pooled reproducibility(between laboratory)standard deviation was2.25in.(57mm).The research report suggests that tests of some items produce data that are not distributed normally; log-normal,Weilbull,or other distributions may be applicable.
10.2Bias—No justifiable statement can be made on the bias of this test method since a true value cannot be established by an accepted referee test method.
11.Keywords
11.1bags;boxes;cylindrical containers;drop test;drums; free fall;packaging;sacks
5Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters.Request RR:D10-
1004.
ANNEXES
(Mandatory Information)
A1.IDENTIFICATION OF MEMBERS
A1.1Rectangular Containers —The procedure for identifi-cation of the members (faces,edges,and corners)of rectangu-lar containers shall be as follows (see Fig.A1.1):
A1.1.1Facing one end of the box with the manufacturer’s joint,where applicable,on the observer’s right,designate the top of the box as 1,the right side as 2,the bottom as 3,the left side as 4,the near end as 5,and the far end as 6.
A1.1.2Identify the edges by the numbers of the two faces that form that edge;for example,1-2identifies the edge formed by the top and right side,and 2-5identifies the edge formed by the right side and near end.(The 2-5edge is the edge having a vertical manufacturer’s joint,and the 2-3edge is the edge having a horizontal manufacturer’s joint in fiberboard contain-ers.)
A1.1.3Identify the corners by the numbers of the three faces that meet to form that corner;for example,1-2-6identifies the comer at which the top,right side,and far end meet.
A1.2Cylindrical Containers —The procedure for identifica-tion of the members (tops,bottoms,sidewalls,and chimes)of cylindrical containers shall be as follows (see Fig.A1.2):A1.2.1The ends of two perpendicular diameters on the upper surface of the cylindrical container shall be designated as 1,3,5,and 7;and the other ends of lines parallel to the cylinder axis pa
ssing through these points respectively shall be desig-
nated as 2,4,6,and 8.If the package has one or more side seam joints,one of the joints should occupy the position of 5-6.A1.2.2Identify diagonal drops on chimes by designating the drop point by number,that is,drop on 1.Where it is desirable to drop on a midpoint between two locations on the chime,such a point can be designated using two numbers,that is,drop on 1-3.
A1.2.3Identify flat drops on sidewalls by designating the drop point by two numbers,that is,drop on 3-4.Where it is desirable to drop on a midpoint between two locations on the sidewall,such a point can be designated using four numbers,that is,drop on 1-3-2-4.
A1.2.4Identify flat drops on ends using the four numbers of that end,that is,1-3-5-7or 2-4-6-8.
A1.3Sacks and Bags —The procedure for identification of the members (faces,sides,tops,and bottoms)of bags and sacks shall be as follows (see Fig.A1.3):
A1.3.1Facing the front of the bag with the top up,designate the front of the bag as 1,the right side edge as 2,the rear side as 3,the left side edge as 4,the bottom as 5,and the top as 6.(Where a bag or sack has one or more side seams,Side 2shall include a side
seam.)
FIG.A1.1Members of Rectangular
Containers
FIG.A1.2Members of Cylindrical
Containers
A2.TEST CYCLES AND PROCEDURES
A2.1The choice of a test cycle or specific procedure depends on the purposes of the tests.Sometimes
the drop height,test cycles,and detailed procedures are prescribed in a contract,regulation,or some other standard.Other times a detailed test plan must be determined based on the engineering and business judgments of the interested parties.The drop height,package orientation,and cycle may be chosen based upon knowledge of the shipping environment,knowledge of the type and severity of drop needed to cause certain types of damage to the package or contents,or previous testing or field experience with similar packages.The test plan should also consider the type of information desired from the testing:a statement whether or not preestablished acceptance criteria was obtained;qualification of damage,determination of the drop height to failure;the number of drops to failure,etc.A2.1.1This annex covers some test cycles and procedures for using the drop test,but other cycles and procedures are available or may be developed.
A2.2Constant Drop Height Procedures —These procedures consist of single or multiple drops from a constant drop height.Replicate samples should be subjected to identical procedures for comparison and for statistical analysis.Typical types of drop cycles are as follows:
A2.2.1Single Drop —Drop the test package from an orien-tation and height specified.
A2.2.2Ten Drop Cycle (Boxes)—Drop the test package on a bottom corner (for example,2-3-5),the sho
rtest edge radiating from that corner,the next longest edge radiating from that corner,the longest edge radiating from that corner,flat on the smallest two faces,flat on the next two largest faces,and flat on the two largest faces.
A2.2.3Four Drop Cycle (Boxes)—Drop the test package on a corner,the shortest edge radiating from that corner,the next longest edge radiating from that corner,and the longest edge radiating from that corner.
A2.2.4Twenty-Six Drop Cycle (Boxes)—Drop the test pack-age on each flat face,edge,and corner.
A2.2.5Eight Corner Drop Cycle (Boxes)—Drop the test package on each of the eight corners.
A2.2.6Twelve Edge Drop Cycle (Boxes)—Drop the test package on each of the twelve edges.
A2.2.7Four Rim Drop Cycle (Cylindrical Containers)—Drop the test package once on each half of the top and bottom rims.
A2.2.8Six Flat Drop Cycle —Drop the test package flat on each face for a box or each end and four sides for a bag or cylinder.With a cylinder,the four side drops shall be 90°apart.A2.2.9Repeated Drop Cycle —Drop the test package for a prescribed drop or drop cycle.Continue dropping on similar cycles
until a specified type of damage is noted to the package or contents.This procedure determines the number of drops or cycles required to damage the package or contents.
A2.2.10Critical Orientation —When a drop is specified for a most critical or damage-prone orientation,a single drop is required on that orientatation.The determination of the critical orientation must be provided.It may be a formal study of the relationship between drop orientation and damage,other engi-neering analyses of that product and package,or laboratory and field experience with similar packages.
A2.2.11Hazard Drop —Drop the test package onto a speci-fied hazard from a specified height and orientation.
A2.3Progressive Drop Height Procedure :
A2.3.1Drop the test package from an initial drop height chosen to be unlikely to cause predefined damage to the package or contents.This will be in a prescibed orientation or a prescribed cycle of drops.If no damage occurs from the initial drop height,increase the drop height by a predetermined increment.Repeat the drop or drop cycle on the same package until the predefined damage has occurred.It is common to estimate the critical drop height as the midpoint between the last successful t
est and the test which caused damage;use of the successful test point before failure may be considered a more conservative estimate.Replicate samples should be subjected to identical procedues to determine the consistency of the failure point.A normal distribution cannot be assumed for statistical analysis;a log-normal or Weilbull distribution are often better.
A2.3.2This procedure can produce damage or failure based on the cumulative effects of all previous drops.Sometimes a single drop or drop cycle from a height which caused cumu-lative damage of this procedure will not cause similar damage to the package or contents.A2.4Up and Down Procedure
:
FIG.A1.3Members of Sacks and
Bags
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