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Rolling Load Testing of Flooring Performance
When predicting the performance of a laid floor's surface and/or system under simulated rolling loads to ASTM C627, a rolling load floor testing based on the Robinson-Type Floor Testing machine is commonly used. The test was initially designed for tiles; however the Robinson Floor Test can also be applied to most hard-surface flooring including; wood, marble, stone, slate, laminate, vinyl, and rubber.
Using our Robinson-Type Floor Testing machine, we are able to conduct both on-site and laboratory testing. Outcomes of this testing include:
- The durability assessment of newly laid flooring surfaces, which ensures they meet the required level
- Highlighting installation of material manufacturing faults
- Determining whether problematic flooring surfaces are meeting the required performance levels.
Rolling load floor testing benefits include:
- Being the only standardized method of flooring surface and flooring system performance, thus generating reliable data and results
- The ability to differentiate your products performance from un-tested competitors’ products
- Endorsed product specification modifications, which potentially leads to retrospective financial savings if specification adjustments are subsequently unsuitable.
The testing is comprised of a three-wheeled rig which rotates at a predetermined speed, duration, loading and wheel type. We offer 14 different test schedules which are outlined below.
| Cycle | Wheel Type | Weight (kg) | Duration (h) | Revolutions Per Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | soft rubber | 45 | 1 | 900 |
| 2 | soft rubber | 91 | 1 | 900 |
| 3 | soft rubber | 136 | 1 | 900 |
| 4 | soft rubber | 136 | 1 | 900 |
| 5 | hard rubber | 45 | 1 | 900 |
| 6 | hard rubber | 91 | 1 | 900 |
| 7 | hard rubber | 136 | 1 | 900 |
| 8 | hard rubber | 136 | 1 | 900 |
| 9 | steel | 23 | ½ | 450 |
| 10 | steel | 45 | ½ | 450 |
| 11 | steel | 68 | ½ | 450 |
| 12 | steel | 91 | ½ | 450 |
| 13 | steel | 114 | ½ | 450 |
| 14 | steel | 136 | ½ | 450 |
As cycles are completed without the occurrence of failure, the tested flooring surface and/or system gets classified into one of five different service levels. These are classified as:
- Completion of 1 to 3 cycles: ‘Residential’ – e.g. kitchens, bathrooms and hallways
- Completion of 1 to 6 cycles: ‘Light Commercial’ – e.g. office space, reception areas, kitchens and bathrooms
- Completion of 1 to 10 cycles: ‘Moderate Commercial’ – e.g. restaurants and schools
- Completion of 1 to 12 cycles: ‘Heavy Commercial’ – e.g. shopping centres, supermarkets, airports, hospitals, commercial kitchens and car showrooms
- Completion of 1 to 14 cycles: ‘Extra Heavy Commercial’ – e.g. factories.
Additional complementary on-site services can also be provided; slip resistance, balustrade testing, as well as core and strength testing.
For further information, please contact
Lisa Cobden, Technical Consultant: lisa.cobden@lucideon.com or +44 (0)1782 764313.