ASTM D6179-07(2014)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6179 − 07 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Test Methods for
Rough Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping
Cases and Crates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6179; 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 pallet marshaling test and Test Methods D1185 provides test
methods for pallets and related structures.
1.1 Thesetestmethodscovertestingtheintegrityofunitized
1.2.2 Practice D4169 provides a series of options for select-
loads and large shipping cases and crates as well as the ability
ing and running performance tests on all types of shipping
of the contents to endure rough handling. Not all of the test
containers and systems.
methods are applicable to all products, containers, and loads.
These test methods are applicable to common means of
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
material handling as follows:
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for
1.1.1 Test Method A, B, C, D, and E—Drop Test—For
information only.
measuring the ability of the case or crate or unitized load to
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
withstand rough handling impacts and provide information
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
useful in improving the design of the container. Normally, Test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Methods A and B are not applied to unitized loads.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1.2 Test Method F—Tip Test —For determining if filled
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tall or top heavy cases, crates, or unitized loads will tip over
when tilted to a predetermined angle.
2. Referenced Documents
1.1.3 Method G—Tipover Test —For determining the ability
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of filled large shipping cases or crates to resist the impacts
D880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Contain-
associated with tipover hazards, and for determining the ability
ers and Systems
of the packaging and packing methods to provide protection to
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
the contents, when the case or crate is tipped over.
ments
NOTE 1—Test Method G fulfills the requirements of ISO 8768. ISO
D1185 Test Methods for Pallets and Related Structures
8768 may not meet the requirements for Test Method G.
Employed in Materials Handling and Shipping
1.1.4 Test Method H—Rolling Test—For determining the
D4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
ability of complete, filled large shipping cases or crates to
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
withstand the effects of rolling.
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
tainers and Systems
NOTE 2—Test Method H fulfills the requirements of ISO 2876. ISO
2876 may not meet the requirements for Test Method H.
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Packaging Components for Testing
1.2 Additional Test Procedures :
D5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
1.2.1 Test methods for mechanical handling of unitized
Free Fall
loads and large shipping cases and crates are set forth in Test
D5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizontal
Method D6055. Additional tests that apply to mechanical
Impacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester
handling of unitized loads and large cases and crates include
D5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Contain-
incline impact tests, described in Test Method D880 and
ers by Shock Machines
horizontal impact tests, described in Test Methods D4003 and
D6055 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized
Test Method D5277. Test Methods D4003 includes a special
Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2014. Published April 2014. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D6179 – 07. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D6179-07R14. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6179 − 07 (2014)
2.2 ISO Standards: 5.1.1 Other apparatus may be used for dropping a case,
ISO 2876 Packaging—Complete, Filled Transport crate, or unitized load as follows:
Packages—Rolling Test
5.1.1.1 Lift with heavy steel strapping or wire (to release,
ISO 8768 Packaging—Complete, Filled Transport
the strapping or wire is cut), or
Packages—Toppling Test
5.1.1.2 Lift with a forklift truck (while restraining the test
item, the forklift truck is removed from under it), or
3. Terminology
5.1.1.3 Liftwithaclamptruck.(Applysufficientforcetolift
3.1 Definitions:
test item to prescribed height, then release test item), or
3.1.1 General terms in these test methods are defined in
5.1.1.4 Use a tractor with block and tackle (blocks are
Terminology D996.
pulled from under test item) or,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
5.1.1.5 Use a commercial drop tester for test items that are
3.2.1 flat—for purposes of drop tests, tip tests, tipover tests,
within the weight limitations of the machine.
and rolling tests, no two points on the surface differ in level by
5.1.2 Perform the test upon a flat, horizontally level, con-
more than 0.080 in. (2 mm); however, where one of the
crete slab, pavement, or similarly unyielding surface, massive
dimensions of the test package in contact with the surface is
enough to be immovable and rigid enough to be non-
greater than 40 in. (1000 mm), a maximum difference in
deformable under test conditions, with a mass at least 50 times
surface level of 0.20 in. (5 mm) will be acceptable.
that of the test item and large enough to ensure that the test
3.2.2 large shipping case or crate—a case or crate of such
package falls entirely upon the surface.
size and weight to require mechanical handling.Acase or crate
5.2 Tip Test and Tipover Test Apparatus —In performing the
of this type may weigh from 100 lb (45 kg) up to many tons
tip or tipover test, the test item may be handled with any
and measure proportionately. The case or crate may be secured
convenient equipment, such as a forklift truck, a host, a block
to or carried by a base or pallet. Frame members may be
and tackle, by hand, or any means capable of applying a
provided for rigidity throughout the container.
horizontal load to the vertical faces of the test item at a
3.2.3 rigid—for purposes of drop tests, tip tests, and tipover
particular height above the center of gravity and of sufficient
tests, a surface that will not be deformed by more than 0.0040
force to cause tipping without causing the test item to slide on
2 2
in. (0.1 mm) when any area of 0.16 in. (100 mm ) is loaded
thehorizontalsurface.Performthetestuponaflat,horizontally
statically with 22 lb (10 kg) anywhere on the surface.
level, concrete slab, pavement, or similarly unyielding surface,
3.2.4 rolling—rotating a test package about its axis so as to massive enough to be immovable and rigid enough to be
impact on each face in turn.
non-deformable under test conditions, with a mass at least 50
times that of the test item and large enough to ensure that the
3.2.5 unitized load—atypeofunitloadconsistingofarticles
test item falls entirely upon the surface.
or containers secured together so as to be handled as an entity.
5.3 Rolling Test Apparatus—In performing the rolling test,
4. Significance and Use
the test item may be handled with any convenient equipment,
4.1 These test methods will allow the user to determine
such as a forklift truck, a hoist, a block and tackle, or by hand.
integrity and stability of the load as well as provide guidance
Perform the test upon a flat, horizontally level, concrete slab,
to improve the design of the shipping container or the unit load
pavement, or similarly unyielding surface, massive enough to
where deficiencies are found.
be immovable and rigid enough to be non-deformable under
test conditions, with a mass at least 50 times that of the test
4.2 Damagetoproductsorpackagesobservedduringtesting
item and large enough to ensure that the test item falls entirely
can be expected to correlate at least in a qualitative way to
upon the surface.
damage observed in actual distribution handling systems.
4.3 The results received from shock machine testing and
6. Test Specimen and Number of Tests
free fall drop testing are different for certain products. Where
this test is performed to satisfy a regulatory or contractual 6.1 Test several cases, crates, or unitized loads of a given
requirement, its use is subject to approval by the agency
design, if possible, to obtain replication of results. If it is not
concerned. possibletotestanentireunitizedload,thensufficientarticlesor
containers should be assembled such that the height and one
5. Apparatus
base dimension are nearly the same as the proposed unitized
load. The same test item may often be used for all applicable
5.1 Drop Test Apparatus—In performing the drop test, the
tests if not tested to failure. Load the test item with the actual
case, crate, or unitized load may be handled with any conve-
contents for which it was designed. If use of actual contents is
nient equipment, such as a block and tackle, a hoist, or jacks
not practical, a dummy load of the same total mass, size, and
withprovisionmadeforreleasingthetestitemeitherbypulling
weightdistributionmaybesubstituted.Thecontentsordummy
supporting blocks from under it when tackle and jacks are used
load shall be blocked, braced, and cushioned in place and the
or by a release hook when a hoist is used.
package closed normally as for shipment.
6.2 Identify faces, edges, and corners of containers as
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. shown in Fig. A1.1 of Test Method D5276.
D6179 − 07 (2014)
7. Conditioning aretallortopheavy,provisionmustbemadetopreventthetest
item from tipping over after the drop is made. If the stability of
7.1 It is recommended that atmospheres for conditioning be
the load is in question, the Tip Test (Test Method F) or the
selected from those shown in Practice D4332. Unless other-
Tipover Test (Test Method G), or both, should be performed.
wise specified, fiberboard and other paperboard containers
See Annex A1 for alternative drop test procedures.
shall be preconditioned and conditioned in accordance with the
standard atmosphere specified in Practice D4332.
NOTE 3—When conducting a drop test using slings on a corrugated
fiberboard case, it is necessary to install a nominal 2 by 6 in. (50 by 150
8. Acceptance Criteria mm)woodenboardatleast1in.(25mm)longerthanthedimensionofthe
case on top of the case and in line with each sling.This board will prevent
8.1 Reference Practice D4169 for acceptance criteria and
each sling from collapsing the top of the corrugated fiberboard case when
the correlation to relative performance criteria.
it is being lifted prior to the drop test.
9.4.1 Test Method E—Shock Machine Method—Thefreefall
9. Drop Tests
drop test may, in some instances, be performed using a
9.1 Test Method A—Rotational Edge Drop Test—Raise one
programmable shock machine of appropriate dimensions using
end of the case or crate and set it upon a timber or other
the apparatus and procedures described inTest Method D5487.
support, placed at right angles to the length of the case or crate.
See 4.3 for an equivalency statement for the shock machine
The height of the support shall be sufficient to ensure that there
method and free fall method of drop testing. See AnnexA1 for
willbenosupportforthebasebetweentheendsofthetestitem
alternative drop test procedures.
when dropping takes place, but should not be high enough to
9.5 Measurements During Drop Tests (Optional)—Measure
cause the test item to slide on the support when the drop end is
dimensions of the test item, typically diagonals, and record
raised for the drop. Raise the other end of the test item
before the test is started and after each drop. The differences in
successively to prescribed heights and release to fall freely on
successive measurements permit a study of the distortions and
the impact surface. Where test items are tall or top heavy,
deflectionsthathavetakenplace.Inadditiontothesemeasures,
provision must be made to prevent the test item from tipping
a record should be made of any changes or breakage in the test
over after the drop is made. The drop test impact surface is
item and their location. A recommended sample form for
specified fully in the Apparatus section. If the stability of the
recording the measurements and notations made during the
load is in question, the Tip Test (Test Method F) or the Tipover
drop tests is shown in Fig. 1.
Test (Test Method G), or both, should be performed. See
Annex A1 for alternative drop test procedures.
10. Tip Test
9.2 Test Method B—Rotational Corner Drop Test—Start up
10.1 Test Method F—Tip Test —Use a case, crate, or
by setting up the case or crate as defined for the Test Method
unitized load of shipping containers each full loaded with the
Arotational edge drop test. Placea4to10in. (100 to 254 mm)
actual contents. If use of actual contents is not practical, a
block flat under one corner of the end already supported in
dummy load of the same total mass, size, and weight distribu-
order to raise one corner higher than the other so that impacts
tion may be substituted. The contents or dummy load shall be
on the diagonally opposite corner can be obtained. Raise the
blocked, braced, and cushioned in place. Cases and crates
unsupportedendofthetestitemsothatthelowercornerofthat
should be closed normally as for shipment. Unitized loads
end reaches a specified height from the impact surface and
should be stretch-wrapped or strapped onto a pallet as appli-
allow to fall freely. Where test items are tall or top heavy,
cable.
provision must be made to prevent the test item from tipping
over after the drop is made. If the stability of the load is in
10.2 Loose chains, slings, or similar restraints shall be
question, theTipTest (Test Method F) or theTipoverTest
...