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VERTICAL LOAD CAPACITY TEST


June 1, 1998

Steve Ross
Foam Concepts, Inc.
4750 E. Wesley Drive
Anaheim, CA 92807

Re: Lab. No 11101-98/1540

Dear Steve:

At your request, Ramtech Laboratories conducted testing to determine the following:

A. Determine the vertical load capacity of the Expanded Plystyrene Foam coated with unknown coating with metal insert, metal strips, and metal covering when loaded with 8 x 12 steel plates at edges.

B. Determine the vertical load capacity of the Expanded Polystyrene Foam coated with unknown coating with metal insert, metal strips, and metal covering when loaded with 8 x 12 steel plate at interior of assembly.

Test Specimen:

Four test assemblies, delivered to Ramtech Laboratories, Inc. by Foam Concepts, were 24 inches wide by 96 inches long by 17.5 inches deep. The metal inserts were located approximately 2- 5/8 inches from the edge of the EPS. A 2-inch wide metal strip/clip of 0.063 inch thick metal, including galvanizing, was installed perpendicular to the Styro-loc inserts at 23 inch centers. The metal strip was bent around the edge and extended down 3 inches. The end of the metal strip/clip was bent outwards approximately _ inch to receive the flashing. At each intersection with the Styro-loc inserts, the metal strip was fastened to the Styro-loc insert with one hex head self drilling screw (0.125-inch shank x 7/8-inch long). The EPS molding was adhered to the 7/8" thick plaster which was fastened to the 3/8-inch thick, 3 ply-3 layer plywood sheathing. The plywood sheathing was installed with face grain perpendicular to steel stud framing with metal runners. The assemblies were delivered to Ramtech Laboratories. None of the assemblies were witnessed by the laboratory. See Attachment 1 for "assembly" details and data on materials used in construction of the test assembly which was submitted by Foam Concepts for inclusion in this report. The laboratory did not verify any materials or method of construction. See Photographs 1, 2, and 3 for photographic details of the tested assembly.

Test Program:

A 3/4-inch thick by 4 feet by 8 feet plywood sheet was screwed to the steel stud framing of the assembly. The steel stud framing simulated the parapet construction of the roof. The assembly/plywood was anchored to a test slab so the molding/parapet was situated horizontally. A loading system was established to load a 8 inch wide by 12 inches wide by 2 inch thick steel plate against the top of the assembly. The steel plate was located so the top of the steel plate was approximately 1/4-inch from the edge of the molding. The loading jack was placed at the center of the steel plate.

For the end condition, the steel plate was located so the center of the steel plate was 6 inches from the end. For the interior condition, the steel plate was centered. The load was applied with a hydraulic jack using a hydraulic pump. The pressure of the fluid was recorded. The pressure gage was calibrated against the laboratory’s universal testing machine.
Three full assemblies were tested. Each assembly was loaded at each end and at the midspan.
Initially the load was applied to a 3 inch disk, however, the disk indented the metal covering and the coating/EPS foam. In order to test the assembly, the 8 inch wide by 12 inches long by 2 inch thick steel plate was substituted for the 3 inch thick disk. The steel plate was located so the total steel area was bearing on the EPS foam molding and not on the plywood edge.

Results:

Results are based on visual observation during the load application. The results of both end and interior conditions are summarized in Table I. The average load at which surface indentation was observed is the 1700 pounds and 2915 pounds at the end and the interior location respectively. The average ultimate failure is 3200 pounds and 6330 pounds at the end and interior location respectively. Based on observation of the test, the design load should be based on the average load at first indentation using an appropriate safety factor. Long term effectiveness of the adhesive/coating should be investigated.

Please give us a call if you have any questions.

Reported Prepared by:
Ronald I. Ogawa, P.E.
Laboratory Consultant

Report Reviewed by:
David R. Macey
Laboratory Manager

EDGE CONDITION
INTERIOR CONDITION
Load
(psi)
Load
(pounds)
Test 1ER
Test 1EL
Test 2ER
Test 2EL
Test 3ER
Test 3EL
Test 1C
Test 2C
Test 3C
500
1250
1
600
1500
2
2
700
1750
2
2
800
2000
2
900
2250
1000
2500
1100
2750
2
1200
3000
3
3
2
2
1300
3250
3
3
1400
3500
4
1500
3750
5
1600
4000
5
5
1700
4250
5
1800
4500
1900
4750
2000
5000
2400
6000
5
2600
6500
5
5
Ave. at First Indentation
Ave. Ultimate Load
1700 Pounds
3201 Pounds
2917 Pounds
6333 Pounds


1) Experimental test using 3 inch loading disk.
2) First observation of surface indentation.
3) Crack and splitting of coating, EPS compressed substantially.
4) Steel stud buckling failure.
5) Ultimate failure. Surface damaged, coating cracked.
At interior, shear cracks directly below load point and approximately 13 to 15 inches on each side.

ER
= Right end
EL = Left end
C = Interior or Center
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISUAL DOCUMENTATION
Click thumbnail for enlargment


1) Backside of parapet showing the steel studs spaced at about 16 inches on center


2) View of top surface with the metal cover removed. Metal strips installed at approximately 24 inches center.

3) Metal inserts in slot in EPS molding. Metal strips shown in Photograph 2 is screwed into the metal inserts.

4) View of molding being loaded at the interior location. The molding/parapet was placed
horizontally and anchored to the laboratory’s concrete test bed which provides anchor points at 12 inches on center each way.

5) Front view of molding at ultimate load. Note crack directly below the load point and approximately 15 inches on each side.


6) View of end section at ultimate load. Similar crack visible. Load at end section approximately one half of the interior section.