ASTM D6179-20

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Designation: D6179 − 07 (Reapproved 2014) D6179 − 20
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
1.1 These test methods cover testing the integrity of unitized loads and large shipping cases and crates as well as the ability of
the contents to endure rough handling. Not all of the test methods are applicable to all products, containers, and loads. These test
methods are applicable to common means of material handling as follows:
1.1.1 Test Method A, B, C, D, and E—Drop Test—For measuring the ability of the case or crate or unitized load to withstand rough
handling impacts and provide information useful in improving the design of the container. Normally, Test Methods A and B are
not applied to unitized loads.
1.1.2 Test Method F—Tip Test —Test—For determining if filled tall or top heavy cases, crates, or unitized loads will tip over when
tilted to a predetermined angle.
1.1.3 Method G—Tipover Test —Test—For determining the ability of filled large shipping cases or crates to resist the impacts
associated with tipover hazards, and for determining the ability of the packaging and packing methods to provide protection to the
contents, when the case or crate is tipped over.
NOTE 1—Test Method G fulfills the requirements of ISO 8768. ISO 8768 may not meet the requirements for Test Method G.
1.1.4 Test Method H—Rolling Test—For determining the ability of complete, filled large shipping cases or crates to withstand the
effects of rolling.
NOTE 2—Test Method H fulfills the requirements of ISO 2876. ISO 2876 may not meet the requirements for Test Method H.
1.2 Additional Test Procedures : Procedures:
1.2.1 Test methods for mechanical handling of unitized loads and large shipping cases and crates are set forth in Test Method
D6055. Additional tests that apply to mechanical handling of unitized loads and large cases and crates include incline impact tests,
described in Test Method D880 and horizontal impact tests, described in Test Methods D4003 and Test Method D5277. Test
Methods D4003 includes a special pallet marshaling test and Test Methods D1185 provides test methods for pallets and related
structures.
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.
Current edition approved April 1, 2014Oct. 1, 2020. Published April 2014October 2020. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20072014 as
D6179 – 07.D6179 – 07 (2014). DOI: 10.1520/D6179-07R14.10.1520/D6179-20.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6179 − 20
1.2.2 Practice D4169 provides a series of options for selecting and running performance tests on all types of shipping containers
and systems.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Containers and Systems
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D1185 Test Methods for Pallets and Related Structures Employed in Materials Handling and Shipping
D4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
D5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall
D5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizontal Impacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester
D5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
D6055 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 2876 Packaging—Complete, Filled Transport Packages—Rolling Test
ISO 8768 Packaging—Complete, Filled Transport Packages—Toppling Test
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 General terms in these test methods are defined in Terminology D996.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 flat—for purposes of drop tests, tip tests, tipover tests, and rolling tests, no two points on the surface differ in level by more
than 0.080 in. (2 mm); however, where one of the dimensions of the test package in contact with the surface is greater than 40
in. (1000 mm), a maximum difference in surface level of 0.20 in. (5 mm) will be acceptable.
3.2.2 large shipping case or crate—a case or crate of such size and weight to require mechanical handling. A case or crate of this
type may weigh from 100 lb (45 kg) up to many tons and measure proportionately. The case or crate may be secured to or carried
by a base or pallet. Frame members may be provided for rigidity throughout the container.
3.2.3 rigid—for purposes of drop tests, tip tests, and tipover tests, a surface that will not be deformed by more than 0.0040 in. (0.1
2 2
mm) when any area of 0.16 in. (100 mm ) is loaded statically with 22 lb (10 kg) anywhere on the surface.
3.2.4 rolling—rotating a test package about its axis so as to impact on each face in turn.
3.2.5 unitized load—a type of unit load consisting of articles or containers secured together so as to be handled as an entity.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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D6179 − 20
4. Significance and Use
4.1 These test methods will allow the user to determine integrity and stability of the load as well as provide guidance to improve
the design of the shipping container or the unit load where deficiencies are found.
4.2 Damage to products or packages observed during testing can be expected to correlate at least in a qualitative way to damage
observed in actual distribution handling systems.
4.3 The results received from shock machine testing and free fall drop testing are different for certain products. Where this test
is performed to satisfy a regulatory or contractual requirement, its use is subject to approval by the agency concerned.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Drop Test Apparatus—In performing the drop test, the case, crate, or unitized load may be handled with any convenient
equipment, such as a block and tackle, a hoist, or jacks with provision made for releasing the test item either by pulling supporting
blocks from under it when tackle and jacks are used or by a release hook when a hoist is used. Refer to Appendix X1 of Test
Method D5276 for examples of release hooks.
5.1.1 Other apparatus may be used for dropping a case, crate, or unitized load as follows:
5.1.1.1 Lift with heavy steel strapping or wire (to release, the strapping or wire is cut), or
5.1.1.1 Lift with a forklift truck (while restraining the test item, the forklift truck is removed from under it), or
5.1.1.2 Lift with a clamp truck. (Apply sufficient force to lift test item to prescribed height, then release test item), or
5.1.1.3 Use a tractor with block and tackle (blocks are pulled from under test item) or,
5.1.1.4 Use a commercial drop tester for test items that are within the weight limitations of the machine.
5.1.2 Perform the test upon a flat, horizontally level, concrete slab, pavement, or similarly unyielding surface, massive enough to
be immovable and rigid enough to be non-deformable under test conditions, with a mass at least 50 times that of the test item and
large enough to ensure that the test package falls entirely upon the surface.
5.2 Tip Test and Tipover Test Apparatus —Apparatus—In performing the tip or tipover test, the test item may be handled with any
convenient equipment, such as a forklift truck, a host, a block and tackle, by hand, or any means capable of applying a horizontal
load to the vertical faces of the test item at a particular height above the center of gravity and of sufficient force to cause tipping
without causing the test item to slide on the horizontal surface. Perform the test upon a flat, horizontally level, concrete slab,
pavement, or similarly unyielding surface, massive enough to be immovable and rigid enough to be non-deformable under test
conditions, with a mass at least 50 times that of the test item and large enough to ensure that the test item falls entirely upon the
surface.
5.3 Rolling Test Apparatus—In performing the rolling test, the test item may be handled with any convenient equipment, such as
a forklift truck, a hoist, a block and tackle, or by hand. Perform the test upon a flat, horizontally level, concrete slab, pavement,
or similarly unyielding surface, massive enough to be immovable and rigid enough to be non-deformable under test conditions,
with a mass at least 50 times that of the test item and large enough to ensure that the test item falls entirely upon the surface.
6. Test Specimen and Number of Tests
6.1 Test several cases, crates, or unitized loads of a given design, if possible, to obtain replication of results. If it is not possible
to test an entire unitized load, then sufficient articles or containers should be assembled such that the height and one base dimension
are nearly the same as the proposed unitized load. The same test item may often be used for all applicable tests if not tested to
failure. Load the test item with the actual contents for which it was designed. If use of actual contents is not practical, a dummy
load of the same total mass, size, and weight distribution may be substituted. The contents or dummy load shall be blocked, braced,
and cushioned in place and the package closed normally as for shipment.
6.2 Identify faces, edges, and corners of containers as shown in Fig. A1.1 of Test Method D5276.
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7. Conditioning
7.1 It is recommended that atmospheres for conditioning be selected from those shown in Practice D4332. Unless otherwise
specified, fiberboard and other paperboard containers shall be preconditioned and conditioned in accordance with the standard
atmosphere specified in Practice D4332.
8. Acceptance Criteria
8.1 Reference Practice D4169 for acceptance criteria and the correlation to relative performance criteria.
9. Drop Tests
9.1 Test Method A—Rotational Edge Drop Test—Raise one end of the case or crate and set it upon a timber or other support, placed
at right angles to the length of the case or crate. The height of the support shall be sufficient to ensure that there will be no support
for the base between the ends of the test item when dropping takes place, but should not be high enough to cause the test item
to slide on the support when the drop end is raised for the drop. Raise the other end of the test item successively to prescribed
heights and release to fall freely on the impact surface. Where test items are tall or top heavy, provision must be made to prevent
the test item from tipping over after the drop is made. The drop test impact surface is specified fully in the Apparatus section. If
the stability of the load is in question, the Tip Test (Test Method F) or the Tipover Test (Test Method G), or both, should be
performed. See Annex A1 for alternative drop test procedures.
9.2 Test Method B—Rotational Corner Drop Test—Start up by setting up the case or crate as defined for the Test Method A
rotational edge drop
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