No.

63

No.63 General cargo containers: prototype test

(Mar. 2000)
(Corr.
July 2001)
procedures and test measurements
1 General

These recommendations provide a basic procedure for prototype or individual testing of gener-
al cargo containers. Alternative test procedures will be accepted if considered to be equivalent.
The test procedure will be modified as appropriate to cater for special purpose containers and
special handling arrangements. In such cases, the general principles outlined herein will be
maintained. The required loadings in each test should be applied in such a manner as to allow
free deflection of the container section under test.

Note. Checking of ISO dimensions will be carried out before and after all tests.

1.1 Definitions
R = maximum operating gross mass
T = tare
P = R - T = maximum permissable payload
Note. Where test requirements are based on gravitational forces derived from these
values, these forces which are inertial forces are indicated as follows:
Rg; Tg; Pg

2 Procedures and measurements

2.1 Stacking test

(i) Procedure:
Internal loading: 1,8R—T uniformly distributed over the base.
Applied forces on containers of 2991mm (10ft) (values for containers of 2991mm (10 ft) or
less are given in brackets): with the container in the normal position supported at the base
corner fittings, comprehensive forces of 848 kN (224 kN) to be applied to each of the four
top corner fitting simultaneously, or 1696 kN (448 kN) on each pair of end fittings.

These test forces are derived from the superimposed mass of nine-stacking (six-stacking)
i.e. eight (five) containers stacked on top of one container, all being rated 24000 kg (10160
kg) and acceleration force of 1.8g.

Note: This Recommendation was recategorized from UR C2 in March 2000.

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The test is to be repeated to cover for all positions of offset, namely 38 mm (1 1/2 in) lon-
No.63 gitudinally and 25,4 mm (1 in) laterally.
cont d
(ii) Measurements:

(a) Deflections at lowest point of both side rails and at the longitudinal centre line of the
base which may be taken before the application of axial loads.
(b) Deflections in two directions at midheight, or other point of maximum deflection of the
corner posts.
(c) Permanent set remaining on removal of the load.

2.2 Top lifting test

(i) Procedure:
Internal loading: 2R—T uniformly distributed over the base.
Applied forces: With the container in the normal position, lifting forces are to be applied
gradually to the top corner fittings
(a) vertically to containers over 2991 mm (10 ft) in length,
(b) at 30¡ to the vertical in the case of containers 2991 mm (10 ft) in length and less. The
container shall be supported for 5 minutes.

(ii) Measurements:
(a) While loaded and supported by the four bottom corner fittings before lifting clear, the
deflection at lowest points of both side rails and at the longitudinal centre line of the
base.
(b) Any distress due to lifting.
(c) Permanent set remaining on removal of the load.

2.3 Bottom lifting test

(i) Procedure:

Internal loading: 2R—T uniformly distributed over the base.

Applied forces: With the container in the normal position, lifting forces are to be applied
gradually through the bottom corner fitting side apertures as follows:

Length Direction of applied forces

12 192 mm (40 ft) 30o to horizontal
9125 mm (30 ft) 37o to horizontal
6058 mm (20 ft) 45o to horizontal
2991 mm (10 ft) 60o to horizontal
The container shall be supported for 5 minutes

(ii) Measurements: Any distress due to lifting is to be recorded.

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No.63 2.4 Longitudinal restraint test

cont d (i) Procedure:
Internal loading: R—T uniformly distributed over the base.
Applied forces: With the container in the normal position, anchored by locking devices
through the bottom apertures in the bottom corner fittings at one end, loads equivalent to
are to be applied to each side rail through the bottom apertures in the bottom corner fittings
at the other end, first in compression then in tension.
(ii) Measurements: The change in length of each bottom side rail during and after the test in
(each direction) is to be recorded.

2.5 End wall test

(i) Procedure: Internal loading and application: 0,4Pg uniformly distributed over the wall under
test in such a way as to allow free deflection of the end wall. In the case of symmetrical con-
struction, one end only need be tested.

(ii) Measurements: Deflection and permanent set at the centre and at least two other locations.

2.6 Side wall test

(i) Procedure:

Internal loading and application: 0,6Pg uniformly distributed over the wall under test in such
a way as to allow free deflection of the side wall and its top and bottom side rails. Each side
is to be tested separately but only one side need be tested when both are similar in con-
struction.

(ii) Measurements: Deflection and permanent set at the centre of the side wall and the centre
of the top and bottom side rails.
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No.63
cont d

2.7 Roof panel test

(i) Procedure:

Internal loading: Nil.

Applied load: 300 kg (660 lb) uniformly distributed over a 600 mm x 300 mm (24 in x 12
in) area at the weakest section of the roof.

(ii) Measurements: Maximum deflection and permanent set of the section under test.

2.8 Floor strength test

(i) Procedure:

Internal loading: Nil.

Applied load: With container supported at the bottom corner fittings, a vehicle equipped
with 180 mm (7 in) wide tyres at 760 mm (30 in) centres each having contact area of 142
cm2 (22 in2) in the rectangular envelope of 185 mm wide x 100 mm long loaded to a mass
per axle of 5460 kg (12000 lb) is to be manoeuvred over the entire floor area.

(ii) Measurements: Deflection and permanent set in the three locations of the base.
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No.63 2.9 Transverse racking test

cont d
(i) Procedure:

Internal loading: Nil.

Applied forces: With the container in normal position anchored by locking devices through
the bottom apertures in the bottom corner fittings, transverse racking forces of 150 kN
(15000 kgf) (15 tf) are to be applied separately or simultaneously to each top corner fitting
on one side. Lateral restraint is to be taken up by the anchor devices diagonally opposite
to the applied forces. The force(s) shall be applied first towards then away from the con-
tainer. Containers 2991 mm (10 ft) in length and less need not be tested.

(ii) Measurements: Difference in diagonals before, during and after testing.

The deflection under full transverse rigidity test conditions shall not cause the sum of the
changes in length of the two diagonals to exceed 60mm.

2.10 Longitudinal racking test

(i) Procedure:

Internal loading: Nil.

Applied forces: With the container in the normal position anchored by locking devices
through the bottom apertures in the bottom corner fittings longitudinal racking forces of 75
kN (7500 kgf) (7,5 tf) are to be applied separately or simultaneously to each top corner fit-
ting on one end. Longitudinal restraint is to be taken up by the anchor devices diagonally
opposite to the applied forces. The force(s) shall be applied first towards then away from
the container. Containers 2991 mm (10 ft) in length and less need not be tested.

(ii) Measurements: Longitudinal displacement of top side rails.

The longitudinal deflection of the top of the container, at the time it is under full longitudinal
rigidity test conditions, shall not exceed 25mm.
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2.11 Lifting from fork lift pockets

No.63
cont d (i) Procedure:

Internal loading: 1,6R—T uniformly distributed over the base. In case the container is fitted
with an extra set of fork lift pockets, an additional test is required. A load of 0,625R—T
should be evenly distributed when lifting from the inner pockets.
Applied forces: The container shall be supported for 5 minutes by two bars, 200 mm (8 in)
wide, inserted to a depth of 1828 ± 3 mm (72 ± in) in each set of fork pockets in turn.

(ii) Measurements: Undue local distortion during the test and any permanent distortion.

2.12 Weathertightness

(i) Procedure:

All surfaces of the container are to be subjected to a water test from a 12.5 mm (1/2 in)
nozzle, with a water pressure of 105 pa (1 bar) at the nozzle, which is to be traversed at
a speed of approximately 100 mm/s (4 in/s) at a distance of 1.5 m (5 ft) from the surface
under test.

(ii) Observation: The interior of the container should remain dry.

2.13 Cargo securing systems test

(i) Procedure:

Applied forces: The tensile force equal to 1.5 times the rated load is to be continuously
applied at the specific angle for 5 min as follows:

Securing systems Direction of applied forces

installation

At the floor perpendicularly to the axis

of the container structural
members 45o to the horizon-
tal plane

Above the floor 45o upwards and downwards

from horizontal plane

At the roof 45o downwards

A minimum rated loading for each anchor point is 10kN (1000 kgf) (1.0 tf) and for each
lashing points a minimum rated loading is 5kN (500 kgf) (0.5 tf).

(ii) Measurements: Any permanent deformation at cargo securing devices and their attach-
ment to the container structure.

Notes. 1. Anchor points are securing devices located in the base structure of the
container.
2. Lashing points are securing devices located in any part of the container other
than the base structure.
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