EN 13793:2003

Overview

EN 13793:2003 is a European Standard developed by CEN (the European Committee for Standardization) that specifies the equipment, procedures, and requirements for determining the behavior of thermal insulating products under cyclic loading conditions. This standard is essential for assessing the durability and mechanical performance of thermal insulating materials used in building applications when subjected to repetitive compressive forces.

This standard supports the construction sector by providing reliable and reproducible test methods aligned with the essential requirements of Directive 89/106/EEC on construction products. The testing conditions and parameters are selected based on the specific requirements of the product’s intended application, ensuring relevant and accurate performance data.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  EN 13793 applies to thermal insulating products used in buildings, focusing on their performance under cyclic compressive load. It addresses the influence of repeated mechanical stress on material deformation and potential failure.

• Test Equipment and Procedure
  The standard requires a compression testing machine with parallel rigid plates, capable of applying sinusoidal load cycles with controlled stress, displacement measurement, and force measurement. The equipment must ensure accuracy in force and deformation readings.

• Test Specimens
  Specimens are cut to standard dimensions (usually square, with edge lengths between 50mm and 300mm) at the original product thickness. Preparation involves retaining coatings or facings and conditioning at a standard temperature and humidity before testing.

• Loading Conditions
  Cyclic loading simulates repeated compressive forces using sinusoidal load cycles with defined minimum and maximum stress levels. Stress levels typically range between 15% and 35% of the material’s compressive strength or stress at 10% deformation, and frequencies vary between 0.5 Hz and 10 Hz depending on material sensitivity.

• Test Duration and Termination
  Testing continues until relative deformation reaches 5% at maximum stress, specimen failure, or up to 2 million load cycles. Deformation is recorded throughout for analysis.

• Data Analysis and Reporting
  Results include values of absolute and relative deformation, plotted against the number of load cycles on linear or logarithmic scales. Mean values from multiple specimens are reported, providing insight into the material’s mechanical endurance under repetitive stress.

Applications

EN 13793 is crucial for manufacturers, quality control laboratories, and building professionals who require:

• Durability Assessment of Thermal Insulating Materials
  Ensuring thermal insulation products maintain integrity and performance under mechanical stresses typical in building environments, such as vibration, settling of structures, and load fluctuations.

• Product Development and Certification
  Supporting development of new insulation products by evaluating their long-term mechanical resilience, facilitating compliance with European Construction Product Regulations.

• Quality Assurance and Benchmarking
  Providing standardized testing to compare insulating materials, ensuring consistent mechanical behavior and durability across products and batches.

• Building Design and Engineering
  Informing engineers and architects about material behavior under cyclic loads, aiding in appropriate specification and risk assessment for construction projects.

Related Standards

• EN 826: Thermal insulating products for building applications - Determination of compression behaviour
  Provides baseline compressive strength and deformation data, essential for calculating stress levels in cyclic loading tests.

• EN 12085: Thermal insulating products for building applications - Determination of linear dimensions of test specimens
  Specifies methods for accurately measuring specimen dimensions, crucial for repeatable and valid test results.

• Additional relevant product standards and technical specifications may define specific test conditions or specimen preparation methods for particular types of insulating materials.

By adhering to EN 13793:2003, stakeholders can ensure reliable assessment of the mechanical endurance of thermal insulating materials under cyclic loading, a key factor affecting building energy efficiency, comfort, and structural integrity. This standardized approach helps promote quality, safety, and innovation in building insulation technologies across Europe and worldwide.