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: E695 − 22

Standard Test Method of

Measuring Relative Resistance of Wall, Floor, and Roof
Construction to Impact Loading1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E695; 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 Based Floor and Roof Sheathing Under Concentrated

1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the relative Static and Impact Loads
resistance of wall, floor, and roof construction to impact 2.2 Other Standard:3
loading. The test is not applicable to doors. Fed. Spec. A-A-50197A Linen, Thread
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3. Terminology
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms related to this
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only standard, see Terminology E631.
and are not considered standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 The procedures outlined will provide data that can be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- used to evaluate the relative performance of wall, floor, and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- roof constructions under conditions representative of those
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. sustained in actual service when subjected to impact by a heavy
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- blunt object. See Test Method E661 for evaluation of floor and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- roof sheathing and Practice E73 for evaluation of roof trusses.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 4.2 The method is intended to be applied to relatively light
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- construction, including, but not limited to, wood floor and roof
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical systems, partitions framed with wood or steel studs, steel floor
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. or roof decking systems, steel siding and wall panels, or thin
concrete and masonry walls or slabs and similar assemblies.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 5. Summary of Method
D1517 Terminology Relating to Leather 5.1 Specimens of wall, floor, and roof construction are
E73 Practice for Static Load Testing of Truss Assemblies subjected to the impact force of a standard impact instrument.
E575 Practice for Reporting Data from Structural Tests of Wall sections are tested in the vertical position. Floor and roof
Building Constructions, Elements, Connections, and As- sections are tested only in the horizontal position. Because of
semblies the inherent differences in the method of applying load,
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions measurements obtained from tests in a horizontal mode are not
E661 Test Method for Performance of Wood and Wood- comparable to measurements obtained from tests in the vertical
mode.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on 6. Apparatus for Floor and Roof Systems, Specimen
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.11
on Horizontal and Vertical Structures/Structural Performance of Completed Struc-
Horizontal (see Fig. 1)
tures. 6.1 Supports, steel rollers, two, on a rigid base.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E695 – 03 (2015)ɛ1. 6.2 Impact Instrument, made with a shot-filled leather bag
DOI: 10.1520/E0695-22.
2
as specified in 6.2.1 – 6.2.6. (see Fig. 2.)
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from U.S. General Services Administration, 1800 F Street, NW
the ASTM website. Washington, DC 20405, https://fedspecs.gsa.gov.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 E695 − 22

FIG. 1 Impact Load Test (Specimen Horizontal)

(1) Leather—Use harness leather (oak tanned from packer hides) or latigo leather (alum and vegetable tanned) (see
Terminology D1517, E631 for definitions and terms) (1 oz leather = 1⁄64 in. (0.4 mm) thick).
(2) Thread—Use linen thread (minimum four-ply) in accordance with Fed. Spec. A-A-50197A, Type II, Class 1 or 2.
Double-stitch sidewall seam and seam attaching sidewall to the base.
(3) Shot—Use shot (0.039 in. to 0.138 in. (1 mm to 3.5 mm) diameter). Fill bag with shot and cover with two layers of 3 in.
(76 mm) foam rubber.
FIG. 2 Leather Drop Bag Assembly

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 E695 − 22
6.2.1 Leather—The leather used in construction of the bag micrometer graduated to 0.001 in. (0.025 mm) divisions shall
should be harness leather (Note 1), oak tanned (Note 1) from be attached to the frame at midlength.
packer hides (Note 1) or latigo leather (Note 1), alum and 6.6 Gage Blocks, 12 in. by 12 in. (300 mm by 300 mm) in
vegetable tanned, or both. Leather thickness shall be expressed area, and constructed of metal or other hard surface material.
in ounces (Note 1) (1 oz = 1⁄64 in. (0.4 mm)).
6.7 Hold-Downs—Clamps or other restraining devices at the
NOTE 1—See Terminology D1517. specimen ends to minimize translation.
6.2.2 Thread—Thread used in fabrication of the bag shall be
linen thread of four or more plys, meeting the requirements for 7. Apparatus for Wall Systems, Specimen Vertical (see
Type II, Class 1 or 2, of Fed. Spec. A-A-50197A. Fig. 3)
6.2.3 Fabrication—The side of the bag shall be 28 in. (710 7.1 Steel Channels, for support of the specimen at top and
mm) high by 29 in. (735 mm) in circumference, with a sidewall bottom.
of 8 oz leather 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) thick. The vertical edges shall be 7.2 Rollers, cylindrical rollers and two supporting rollers.
sewed together flesh side out and the seam shall be reinforced
with a piece of 8 oz leather overlapping 3⁄8 in. (10 mm) each 7.3 Impact bag, measuring sticks, deflectometer, set gage,
side. The side shall then be turned hair side out and sewed to and gage blocks conforming to the requirements specified in
the bottom. The base (bottom disk) shall be 9 in. (230 mm) in 6.2 – 6.7.
diameter of 12 oz leather 3⁄16 in. (5 mm) thick. The seam 7.4 Rigid Supporting Frame, to which the supporting chan-
attaching the wall to the base shall be 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) from the nels and deflection gage are attached.
edge of the base. Two rows of stitching shall be used for the
vertical wall seam and the seam attaching the wall to the base. 8. Test Specimen
6.2.4 Hoisting Strap—The strap to hoist the bag shall be 8.1 Size—The specimens shall be representative of the
made from 8 oz leather 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) thick by 5⁄8 in. (16 mm) actual construction as to material, method of assembly, and
wide by 24 in. (610 mm) long. The strap shall be passed workmanship.
through holes, diametrically opposite, in the side walls 11⁄2 in. 8.2 Length or Height—The length or height of specimen for
(40 mm) from the top of the wall. These holes shall be each element shall be chosen to conform approximately to the
reinforced with pieces of 8 oz leather and 3 in. (76 mm) square. length or height of that element in actual size.
The leather strap shall be passed twice through a 2 in. (50 mm)
diameter lifting ring and the ends fastened by sewing, riveting, 8.3 Width—The width of specimen shall be chosen, insofar
or by use of a buckle. To avoid excessive stretching of the as feasible, to include several of the principal load-carrying
leather wall or failure of the vertical seam, a sleeve, made from members to ensure that the behavior under load will simulate
12 oz leather, of the same type as the base of the bag, shall be that anticipated under service conditions. The actual width of
fitted to slip tightly around the lower portion of the bag. This specimens shall be a whole number multiplied by the spacing
sleeve should be 95⁄8 in. (250 mm) high. of the principal load-carrying members, except for prefabri-
6.2.5 Shot—The bag shall be loosely filled with metal shot cated panels for which the actual width shall be the width of
or pellets with diameters of 0.039 in. to 0.138 in. (1 mm to 3.5 panel used. If the structural properties of a particular construc-
mm). Two layers of 3 in. (75 mm) thick foam rubber or similar tion are to be compared with another construction, there should
padding shall be placed over the lead shot to prevent spillage not be a great difference in the actual widths of the specimens.
during testing. 8.4 Age—Constructions such as concrete and masonry
6.2.6 The total mass of the bag, including shot, shall be (brick, structural clay tile, concrete block) for which the
adjusted to the desired level with an accuracy of 61 %. The structural properties depend upon the age of the specimen,
mass of the bag may be adjusted to any specified mass, shall be tested not less than 25 days nor more than 56 days after
depending upon the information desired. fabrication except in special instances such as the case of
existing panels. This age requirement applies also to plastered
6.3 Measuring Sticks—A stick, laid off in 6 in. (150 mm) and stuccoed constructions. Other assemblies affected by
increments, or a series of sticks the lengths of which are moisture shall be conditioned to constant weight or moisture
multiples of 6 in. (152 mm), to measure the height of drop content, or for at least 2 weeks at 68 °F 6 6 °F (20 °C 6 3 °C)
accurately. A graduated sliding pointer, a standard metal tape and 65 % 6 5 % relative humidity.
measure, or any similar device that can accurately measure the
height of drop may be substituted. 8.5 Number—Tests shall be made on a minimum of three
like specimens. However, more tests may be necessary depend-
6.4 Deflectometer, or other suitable deflectometer ing upon information and accuracy desired.
equipment, consisting of a metal tube having a base at the
lower end and a clamp at the upper end which supports, by 9. Procedure
friction, a light metal rod. The rod shall be movable inside the
9.1 For symmetrical walls, apply the impact load to the
tube and shall be graduated to 0.01 in. (0.25 mm) divisions.
outside face from at least one of the specimens, and to the
6.5 Set Gage, consisting of a light, rigid frame having two inside face of the other two specimens. For asymmetrical walls,
legs at one end and one leg at the other end, with the distance test both sides an equal number of times. This will require a
between the legs equal to the span of the specimen. A dial minimum of four test specimens. Exception: only one side

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 E695 − 22

FIG. 3 Impact Load Test (Specimen Vertical)

need be tested at the option of the client and laboratory bag beginning with a height of 6 in. 6 1⁄4 in. (152 mm 6 6
depending upon information required. The report shall record mm) and increasing the height in 6 in. 6 1⁄4 in. (152 mm 6
which side or sides of the specimen that is tested. For floor and 6 mm) increments. Record set and instantaneous deflection
roof assemblies apply the impact loads only to the upper measurements for each drop. For the first drop, measure the
finish-floor face of the specimen. height of the bag from the upper face of the specimen at a point
NOTE 2—Any criteria for pass/fail or for stopping the test should be directly beneath the bag, and for subsequent drops, from a taut
agreed upon between the sponsor and testing agency prior to testing. Some cord in contact with the upper face directly above the supports.
possible points include: the ability to sustain a specified static load after
the impact drop; limitation on the instantaneous deflection or residual set; 9.4 Loading-Wall Assemblies Specimen Vertical—Position
penetration of panel; destruction of panel (to be defined); or simply a the specimen on cylindrical rollers to prevent transverse
specified height of drop or number of drops per test from a specific height. restraint. The axes of the rollers shall be parallel to the faces of
9.2 Point of Impact—If the construction has structural the specimens. The two supporting rollers shall be in contact
members, that is, studs or joists, test each specimen so that at with the vertical surface of the rigid frame and each roller shall
least one such structural member will be struck by the impact rest horizontally on sponge rubber 5⁄8 in. 6 1⁄8 in. (16 mm 6 3
bag. Test each specimen also so that the impact bag will strike mm) thick to prevent longitudinal restraint. Support the bag as
the facing midway between two members. a pendulum in the frame as shown in Fig. 3. Take care to assure
NOTE 3—As written, this method may not necessarily define or test the that the hold-downs do not affect deflection of the specimen.
most vulnerable part of a panel specimen. Additional tests may be required Apply an impact load to the middle of the outer face of the
to locate such an area if this information is desired. specimens by releasing the bag beginning with a height of 6 in.
9.3 Loading-Floor and Roof Assemblies-Specimen 6 1⁄4 in. (152 mm 6 6 mm) and increasing the height in 6 in.
Horizontal—Test the specimen as a simple beam on a span 6 1⁄4 in. (152 mm 6 6 mm) increments. The maximum useful
nominally 6 in. (150 mm) less than the specimen length. The height of drop will occur when the pendulum or frame is
two supports for the specimens shall prevent longitudinal perpendicular to the specimen. Measure the height of drop
restraint and shall provide bearing for the entire width of the from the point of impact of the center of gravity of the bag as
specimen. Secure the ends of the panel by hold-downs to it strikes the specimen to this same point when the bag is in the
minimize specimen bounce. Take care to assure that the raised position. Release the bag by smoothly and swiftly
hold-downs do not affect deflection of the specimen. Apply an opening the hinged doors, causing it to swing as a true
impact load to the upper face of the specimen by dropping the pendulum thus eliminating wobbling.

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 E695 − 22
9.5 Instantaneous Deflection—Use the deflectometer (see 11.2 Description of test assembly, including:
6.4) to measure the instantaneous deflection of the specimen. 11.2.1 Size of test specimen,
Prior to loading, hold the light metal rod in contact with the 11.2.2 Details of structural design, including where appli-
middle of the lower face of the specimen by the clamp. When cable or required, the design stresses, design loads, and safety
the specimen deflects under the impact load, the rod is held in factors of all structural members in test assembly,
its lowest position by the friction clamp. Report readings to the 11.2.3 Plan, evaluation, principal cross section, plus other
nearest 0.01 in. (0.25 mm). sections as needed for clarity, and
9.6 Set—To measure the set, place the set gage on the upper 11.2.4 Details of attachment of test panel in frame.
face of the specimen. Take readings by placing the set gage on 11.3 Summarize results.
the specimen with the legs at the supports and the spindle of the 11.4 It is essential that drawings required by 6.1.6 of
dial micrometer in contact with the middle of the specimen, Practice E575 be provided.
and reading the micrometer. If the set exceeds the range of the
micrometer, place gage blocks between the specimen and the 12. Precision and Bias
spindle of the micrometer to the nearest 0.001 in. (0.025 mm). 12.1 Neither the within-laboratory nor the between-
laboratory precision and bias of the impact load procedures
10. Recordings
recommended have been established, because any test data
10.1 Deflection and Set—For each height of drop calculate developed are usually of a proprietary nature and unavailable.
the deflection between the reading of the deflectometer and the Furthermore, the test method is expected to be used for
initial reading. Similarly, calculate the set as the difference prototype testing and not for routine quality control. This
between the reading of the set gage and the initial reading. means few specimens of a kind would be tested, making any
Record the maximum height of drop. analysis unjustifiable.
11. Report 13. Keywords
11.1 The report shall follow the format of Practice E575. In 13.1 floor systems; impact loading; roof systems; wall
addition, the report shall also include the following: systems

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