ASTM E1233/E1233M-14(2021)

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: E1233/E1233M − 14 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Method for
Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors,
Skylights, and Curtain Walls by Cyclic Air Pressure
Differential
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1233/E1233M; 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 1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This test method describes the determination of the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
structural performance of exterior windows, doors, skylights,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and curtain walls under cyclic air pressure differential, using a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
test chamber. This test method is applicable to all curtain wall
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
assemblies, including, but not limited to, metal, glass, masonry,
and stone components.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 This test method is intended only for evaluating the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
structural performance associated with the specified test
E330/E330M Test Method for Structural Performance of
specimen, and not the structural performance of adjacent
Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by
construction.
Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
1.3 Procedure A shall be used for life cycle test loads.
E997 Test Method for Evaluating Glass Breakage Probabil-
1.4 Procedure B shall be used for wind event test loads.
ity Under the Influence of Uniform Static Loads by Proof
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Load Testing
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
E998 Test Method for Structural Performance of Architec-
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
tural Glass Products Under the Influence of Uniform
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
Static Loads
used independently of the other, and values from the two
E1300 Practice for Determining Load Resistance of Glass in
systems shall not be combined.
Buildings
E1886 Test Method for Performance of Exterior Windows,
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Curtain Walls, Doors, and Impact Protective Systems
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Impacted by Missile(s) and Exposed to Cyclic Pressure
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Differentials
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
E1996 Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Curtain Walls, Doors, and Impact Protective Systems
Specific hazard statements are given in Section 7.
Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricanes
1.7 The text of this test method references notes and
2.2 ASCE/SEI Standard:
footnotes that provide explanatory materials. These notes and
ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
Other Structures
considered as requirements of the standard.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Termi-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
nology E631, unless otherwise indicated.
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.51
on Performance of Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2021. Published August 2021. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E1233/E1233M – 14. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
DOI: 10.1520/E1233_E1233M-14R21. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Additional information on curtain wall assemblies can be obtained from the the ASTM website.
Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA), 1900 E. Gold Rd., Suite 1250, Available from American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 1801 Alexander
Schaumburg, IL 60173, https://www.fgiaonline.org. Bell Dr., Reston, VA 20191, http://www.asce.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1233/E1233M − 14 (2021)
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 5. Significance and Use
3.2.1 design wind load, n—the uniform static air pressure
5.1 This test method is a standard procedure for determining
differences, inward and outward, for which the specimen
structural performance under cyclic air pressure differential.
would be designed under service load conditions using con-
This typically is intended to represent the long-term effects of
ventional wind engineering specifications and concepts, ex-
repeated applications of wind load on exterior building surface
pressed in pascals [or pounds-force per square foot]. This
elements or those loads that may be experienced during a
pressure is determined by either analytical or wind-tunnel
hurricane or other extreme wind event. This test method is
procedures (such as are specified in ASCE/SEI 7).
intended to be used for installations of window, curtain wall,
and door assemblies for which the effects of cyclic or repeated
3.2.2 one cycle, n—beginning at a specified air pressure
loads may be significant factors in the in-service structural
differential, the application of positive (negative) pressure to
performance of the system and for which such effects cannot be
achieve another specified air pressure differential and returning
determined by testing under a single application of uniform
to the initial specified air pressure differential.
static air pressure. This test method is not intended to account
3.2.3 permanent deformation, n—displacement or change in
for the effect of windborne debris. This test method is
dimension of the specimen after the applied load has been
considered appropriate for testing unique constructions or for
removed and the specimen has relaxed for the specified period
testing systems that have insufficient in-service records to
of time.
establish their performance under cyclic loading.
5.1.1 The actual loading on building surfaces is quite
3.2.4 positive (negative) cyclic test load, n—the specified
complex, varying with wind direction, time, height above
differential in static air pressure, creating an inward (outward)
ground, building shape, terrain, surrounding structures, and
loading, for which the specimen is to be tested under repeated
other factors. The resistance of many window, curtain wall, and
conditions, expressed in pascals [or pounds-force per square
door assemblies to wind loading is also complex and depends
foot].
on the complete history of load magnitude, duration, and
3.2.5 positive (negative) maximum test load, n—the speci-
repetition. These factors are discussed in ASCE/SEI 7 and in
fied differential in static air pressure, creating an inward
the literature (1-12).
(outward) load, for which the specimen is to be tested for
5.2 This test method is not intended for use in evaluating the
required minimum ultimate strength, expressed in pascals [or
adequacy of glass for a particular application. When the
pounds-force per square foot].
structural performance of glass is to be evaluated, the proce-
3.2.6 stick system, n—a curtain wall assembly composed of
dure described in Standard Test Method E997 or E998 shall be
individually framed continuous members, vertical mullions,
used.
and horizontal rails that are installed in a sequential, piece-by-
5.3 The proper use of this test method requires knowledge
piece process. The completed system is assembled entirely in
of the principles of pressure and deflection measurement.
the field.
5.4 Two types of cyclic air pressure differentials are defined:
3.2.7 structural distress, n—a change in condition of the
(Procedure A) Life cycle load (X1.1) and (Procedure B) Wind
specimen indicative of deterioration under repeated load or
event load (X1.2). When testing under uniform static air
incipient failure, such as cracking, fastener loosening, local
pressure to establish structural performance, including perfor-
yielding, or loss of adhesive bond.
mance under proof load, Standard Test Method E330/E330M
3.2.8 test specimen, n—the entire assembled unit submitted
applies. Consideration of windborne debris in combination
for test (as described in Section 8). with cyclic air pressure differential representing extreme wind
events is addressed in Standard Test Method E1886 and
3.2.9 unit/panel system, n—a curtain wall assembly com-
Standard Specification E1996.
posed of pre-assembled groups of individual framing members.
The completed system is designed to be modular, 5.5 Typical practice in the United States for the design and
testing of exterior windows, curtain walls, and doors has been
transportable, and installed as a finished assembly.
to consider only a one-time application of design wind load,
increased by an appropriate factor of safety. This design wind
4. Summary of Test Method
load is based on wind velocities with actual average probabili-
4.1 This test method consists of sealing the test specimen
ties of occurrence of once in the design life of the structure.
into or against one face of a test chamber, supplying air to or
The actual in-field performance of such assemblies, however,
exhausting air from the chamber in accordance with a specific
is dependent on many complex factors, and there exists
test loading program at the rate required to maintain the test
significant classes of applications where the effects of repeated
pressure differential across the specimen, and observing,
or cyclic wind loading will be the dominating factor in the
measuring, and recording the deflection, deformations, and
actual structural performance, even though the magnitudes of
nature of any structural distress or failures of the specimen.
such cyclic loads may be substantially lower than the peak load
4.2 The test loading program calls for the application of a
specified spectrum of pressure cycles followed by the applica-
tion of positive and then negative maximum test loads. The
The boldface numbers in parentheses refers to the list of references at the end
specifier must provide the information required in Section 10. of this test method.
E1233/E1233M − 14 (2021)
to which the assembly will be subjected during its design life. task. The procedures presented in Appendix X1 may be used to
Examples of assemblies for which the effects of cyclic loading establish test parameters when a comprehensive analysis of the
may be significant are included in Appendix X2. problem is not possible. The procedures account for the
5.5.1 When cyclic load effects are significant, the actual expected magnitude variation and occurrence frequency in
in-field performance of the assembly will depend on the wind velocities; they are not intended to account for turbulent
complete load history to which the assembly is subjected. The wind load or structural resonance effects (2).
history includes variable sustained loads as well as gusts,
5.9 Some materials have strength or deflection characteris-
which occur at varying frequencies and durations. Such load
tics that are time dependent. Therefore, the duration of the
histories are not deterministic, requiring the specifier to resort
applied test load may have a significant impact on the
to a probabilistic approach for test parameters. The resistance
performance of materials used in the test specimen. The most
of an assembly to cyclic loading is similarly complex. When
common examples of materials with time-dependent response
available, endurance curves (stress/number (S/N) curves) can
characteristics that are used in curtain walls are glass, plastics,
be used to estimate the fatigue resistance of a particular
and composites that employ plastics. For this reason, the
material. A major uncertainty in applying these data, however,
strength of an assembly is tested for the actual time duration to
is that the stress in an element induced by a unit pressure load
which it would be exposed to a sustained or a gust load, or
is usually not known a priori. The problem is further compli-
both, as discussed below. For practical purposes, cyclic load
cated by the fact that the load to which the in situ assembly is
effects are to be considered to be duration-dependent, and the
subjected is not a repetitive load of given magnitude but one
cyclic test loads need be applied only long enough for the
that varies in frequency, duration, and magnitude such as loads
chamber pressure to stabilize. In the past, practice in the United
associated with a wind event.
States generally has been to require a minimum test period for
5.5.2 To establish practical test parameters, the consider-
maximum test loads of 10 s for specified loads equal to 1.5
ations in 5.1 – 5.5.1 must be modeled by a simple loading
times the design pressure, unless otherwise specified. Thus a
program that approximates the actual loading with respect to its
safety factor was incorporated in the testing. If the design wind
damage potential. For the case of life cycle loads, the antici-
load is determined through the analytical procedures of ASCE/
pated actual loading may include critical pressures that will
SEI 7, the test load shall be based on the nominal loads derived
occur with greater frequency during the design life of the
from the load combinations used in allowable stress design.
structure than is practical to use for testing. In such cases, the
With higher test loads and longer time durations, the designer
actual load magnitude and number of repetitions must be
must also consider what safety factors are essential, particu-
represented in the test by an equivalent load of larger magni-
larly with regard to gust wind loads. Gust wind loads are of
tude and fewer repetitions. For the case of specific wind event
relatively short duration, so that care shall be exercised not to
loads, the entire test loading program may be developed from
specify or allow unnecessarily long duration loads for purposes
wind tunnel testing or by using methods defined in the
of testing the adequacy of the structure to withstand wind
literature.
gusts.
5.5.3 In this test method, the test assembly is first subjected
NOTE 1—In applying the results of tests by this test method, note that
to pressure cycles. The assembly is expected to survive this
the performance of a wall or its components, or both, may be a function
loading without apparent structural distress. Following this, the
of fabrication, installation, and adjustment. The specimen may or may not
assembly is subjected to positive and negative maximum test
truly represent every aspect of the actual structure. In service, the
loads. The maximum test loads may represent sustained loads
performance will also depend on the rigidity of the supporting construc-
tion and on the resistance of components to deterioration by various other
or gust loads, or both.
causes, including vibration, thermal expansion, contraction, etc.
5.6 Design wind velocities may be selected for particular
6. Apparatus
geographic locations and probabilities of occurrence based on
data from wind velocity maps such as provided in ASCE/SEI
6.1 The description of the apparatus is general in nature.
7.
Any equipment capable of performing the test procedure
5.7 The person specifying the test must translate the antici- within the allowable tolerances is permitted.
pated wind velocities and durations into static air pressure
6.2 Major Components (see Fig. 1):
differences and durations. Complexities of wind pressures as
6.2.1 Test Chamber—A test chamber or box with an
related to building design, wind intensity versus duration,
opening, a removable mounting panel, or one open side in
frequency of occurrence, and other factors must be considered.
which or against which the specimen is installed. Static
Superimposed on sustained winds are gusting winds which, for
pressure taps shall be provided to measure the pressure
short periods of time, from fractions of seconds to a few
difference across the test specimen and shall be so located that
seconds, may move at considerably higher velocities than the
the reading is unaffected by the velocity of air supplied to or
sustained winds. Wind tunnel studies, computer simulations,
from the chamber or from any other air movements. A means
and model analyses are helpful in determining the appropriate
shall be provided to facilitate test specimen adjustments and
wind pressures for buildings by showing how a particular
observations. Neither the test chamber nor the specimen
building acts under wind velocities established by others.
mounting frame shall deflect under the test load in such a
(1-6).
manner that the performance of the specimen will be affected.
5.8 Specification of a test program based on a comprehen- 6.2.2 Air System—A controllable blower, a compressed-air
sive treatment of all of the above considerations is a complex supply, an exhaust system, or reversible controllable blower
E1233/E1233M − 14 (2021)
FIG. 1 General Arrangement of Testing Apparatus
designed to provide the required maximum air-pressure differ-
ence across the specimen. The system shall provide an essen-
tially constant air-pressure difference for the required test
period.
NOTE 2—For Procedure A, Life cycle load, it is convenient to use a
reversible blower or a separate pressure and exhaust system to provide the
required air-pressure difference so that the test specimen can be tested for
the effect of wind blowing against the wall (positive pressure) or for the
NOTE 1—Width of typical specimen if no comers are included in system
effect of suction on the lee side of the building (negative pressure) without
or project.
removing, reversing, and reinstalling the test specimen. For Procedure B,
NOTE 2—Include vertical expansion joint comers and end (jamb)
Wind event load, it is not necessary to use a reversible blower. In this case,
conditions in test specimen if such items are part of system or project wall.
it is permitted for the test specimen to be removed, reversed and
If water testing is to be performed, place one expansion joint in lower third
reinstalled in the test chamber between the positive and negative pressure
of specimen.
cycles. If an adequate air supply is available, a completely airtight seal
NOTE 3—See 8.1.2 for structural support requirements at specimen
need not be provided around the perimeter of the test specimen and the
perimeter.
mounting panel, although it is preferable. However, substantial air leakage
FIG. 2 Typical Stick-System Test Specimen Concept
will require an air supply of much greater capacity to maintain the
required pressure differences.
6.2.3 Pressure-Measuring Apparatus—A device to measure
the test pressure difference within a tolerance of 62 %, or 62.5
8. Test Specimen
Pa [60.01 in.] of water column, whichever is greater.
6.2.4 Deflection-Measuring System—A means of measuring
8.1 Curtain wall test specimens shall be of sufficient size
deflections within a tolerance of 60.25 mm [60.01 in.].
and configuration to determine the performance of all typical
6.2.4.1 Any locations at which deflections are to be mea-
parts of the system and to provide full loading on each typical
sured shall be stated by the specifier.
vertical and horizontal framing member, including building
6.2.4.2 When deflections are to be measured, the deflection comer details and end joints, if applicable. For multi-story
gages shall be installed so that the deflections of the compo-
systems, the specimen height shall not be less than two full
nents can be measured without being influenced by possible
building stories plus the height necessary to include at least one
movements of, or movements within, the specimen or member
full horizontal joint accommodating vertical expansion. If
supports.
water testing is to be performed on the test specimens, at least
6.2.4.3 For tests to determine the ultimate performance of a
one full horizontal joint accommodating vertical expansion
specimen, deflection-measuring devices with lesser accuracy
shall be included and located in the bottom third of the
may be used. Permanent deformation of unsymmetrical or
specimen. The specimen shall include all typical expansion
unsymmetrically loaded members, or both, can be determined
joints, connections, anchorages, and supporting elements in-
by the use of a straightedge gage applied to the members after
cluding those at the top, bottom, and both sides of the
preloading and again after the test load has been removed.
specimen. Where the largest system or building wall is smaller
than that required herein, the largest system or full size
7. Hazards
building wall shall be tested. (See Figs. 2 and 3 for optional
7.1 Take proper precautions to protect the observers in the specimen configurations.)
event of any failure. At the pressures used in this test method, 8.1.1 All parts of the wall test specimen shall be full size,
considerable energy and hazard are involved. (Warning—Do using the same materials, details and methods of construction,
not permit personnel in pressure chambers during tests.) and anchorage as used on the actual building.
E1233/E1233M − 14 (2021)
NOTE 1—Width of typical specimen if no comers are included in system or project.
NOTE 2—Include vertical expansion joint comers and end (jamb) conditions in test specimen if such items are part of system or project wall. If water
testing is to be performed, place one expansion joint in lower third of specimen.
NOTE 3—See 8.1.2 for structural support requirements at specimen perimeter.
FIG. 3 Typical Unit/Panel System Test Specimen Concept
8.1.2 Conditions of the structural support by the test cham- shall be calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer’s
ber shall simulate, as accurately as possible, the structural specification in accordance with the tolerances provided in
conditions of the actual building. Separate tests of anchorage Section 6 but in any event no more than six months prior to
systems using the actual anchors and anchor substrates shall be testing. Calibration of manometers and mechanical deflection
conducted when specified. measuring devices are normally not required, provided the
instruments are used at a temperature near their design tem-
8.2 A window, door, or other wall component test specimen
perature.
shall consist of the entire assembled unit, including frame and
anchorage as supplied by the manufacturer for installation in
10. Information Required
the building, or as set forth in a referenced specification, if
10.1 In specifying this test method, the specifying authority
applicable.
shall supply the following information (See Appendix X1 for
8.2.1 If only one specimen is to be tested, the specifying
suggested test criteria):
authority shall determine the selection.
10.1.1 Procedure A, Life cycle load or Procedure B, Wind
NOTE 3—Since performance is likely to be a function of size and
event load procedure,
geometry, select specimens covering the range of sizes to be used in a
10.1.1.1 The positive and negative cyclic test loads (see
building. In general, it is recommended that the largest size or most
3.2.4) or design wind load (see 3.2.1),
heavily or critically loaded of a particular design, type, construction, or
10.1.1.2 The number and duration of cycles to be applied,
configuration be tested. It is recommended that the largest lite or panel in
10.1.1.3 Those points in the test loading sequence at which
a system or building should be used at each side of a horizontal or vertical
framing member. The glass in a specimen should be of the same thickness
deflections and qualitative observations shall be recorded,
and heat-treatment condition as to be used in the system or building. Glass
10.1.1.4 The positive and negative maximum test loads,
stronger than that to be u
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