Thomo said:
I’m introducing a few new sections for our balustrading system .
I will be getting it tested and certified , but I wish to test it inhouse to check it before I send it over .
The new AS1288 conveniently has appendixes that have “Methods of test “
The Imposed Load tables referenced agree with AS 1170.1
I need to test Horozontal and Vertical UDLs of 0.75kN/m and
Concetrated loads of 0.6kN inwards, outwards and downwards .
Im not worried about measuring the UDLs required in Kpa as I know we kill it in them already .
My thoughts :
The dowards is easy , a weight of 75kg or so over a metre for 0.75kN/m and 60kg give or take for the point load of 0.6kN (dimensions of testing pad are supplied “44 mm × 44 mm or 50 mm diameter circular point load steel plate with a rubber pad of 6 to 12 mm thick”)
Horozontal I’m thinking setting up a screw jack against the balustrade with the other side against the factory wall with a simple bathroom scale between the wall and jack . Load up to 75/60 kgs .
Am I missing something ?
Sure its not super accurate , but the above values are minimum only and it will need to easily exceed them . We will be testing coreholed and baseplated versions .
Any opinions out there ?
Brett Thompson
That would depend on whether it is built horizontal like a parapet or sloping like the side of a staircase.
Ideally, you want it to hold when someone of average weight charges it sideways at full speed for a horizontal balistrade. And hold when somebody trips down a set of steps to hit a sloping from the side.
I don’t think it needs to survive vehicle impact – unless – motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters can pack quite a punch because of the high torque from the electric motor.
Upward load, sloping balistrade impact load from single biceps curl. Horizontal balistrade impact load from two bicep curls.
So let’s put that together.
Sloping balistrade. Defined to be a slope in excess of 15 degrees.
Point upward load – single biceps curl impact from strong man.
Point downward load – impact from man falling 2.5 metres.
Point sideways load – impact from man travelling 4 m/s.
Sideways and downwards point loads to be applied simultaneously.
Distributed sideways load – people pushing backwards at a spacing of 0.5 metres.
Distributed downwards and upwards loads – none.
_Horizontal balistrade _. Defined to be slope up to 15 degrees.
Point upward load – double biceps curl impact upwards from a strong man.
Point downward load – total weight of obese person, steady state load not impact.
Point sideways load – impact from man travelling 5.5 m/s. And …
… Point sideways load – load required to stop a motorized wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Sideways and downwards loads applied separately.
Distributed downwards load – average weight men sitting at 0.4 metre spacing.
Distributed sideways load – men pushing backwards at 0.5 metre spacing.
Distributed upwards load – none.
Bicep curl upwards impact force – need to measure but somewhere in the range of 10 to 15 kg.
Obese person weight – of the order of 170 kg.
Man pushing backwards – need to measure but somewhere near 40 kg.
Force from motorised wheelchair and mobility scooter – need to look up motor specs.
Average weight man. 85 to 90 kg.