ASTM E1233/E1233M-14 Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights, and Curtain Walls by Cyclic Air Pressure Differential

The standard "ASTM E1233/E1233M-14 Standard test method for structural performance of exterior windows, doors, skylights, and curtain walls under cyclic air pressure difference" published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) describes a test method for determining the structural performance of exterior windows, doors, skylights, and curtain walls under cyclic air pressure difference using a test chamber. This test method is applicable to all curtain wall assemblies, including but not limited to metal, glass, masonry, and stone components.

This test method is designed to evaluate the structural performance associated with the specified test specimen only and does not evaluate the structural performance of the adjacent structure. The test methods presented in this standard include:

• Procedure A is used for life cycle test loads.
• Procedure B is used for wind event test loads.

For the purposes of this standard, in addition to the terms and definitions given in the "ASTM E631-15 Standard Terminology for Building Constructions" standard, the following definitions apply:

• The design wind load is the uniform static air pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet for which the specimen would be designed under service load conditions using conventional wind engineering specifications and concepts. It is expressed in Pascals. This pressure is determined by analytical or wind tunnel procedures.
• A cycle is the process of starting from a specified air pressure difference, applying positive (negative) pressure to reach another specified air pressure difference, and returning to the initial specified air pressure difference.
• Permanent deformation is the displacement or change in dimension of the specimen after the applied load is removed and the specimen relaxes for a specified time.
• Positive (negative) cyclic test load, the specified difference in static air pressure produces an inward (outward) loading on the specimen under repeated conditions to be tested and is expressed in pascals.
• The positive (negative) maximum test load is the specified difference in static air pressure that produces an inward (outward) load at which the specimen will be tested for the required minimum ultimate strength and is expressed in pascals.
• A stick system is a curtain wall assembly consisting of individually framed continuous members, vertical studs, and horizontal rails assembled in a sequential, piecemeal process. The completed system is completely assembled on site.
• Structural distress is a change in the condition of a specimen that indicates deterioration under repeated loading or incipient failure such as cracking, fastener loosening, local yielding, or loss of adhesive bond.
• The test specimen is the entire assembled unit submitted for testing.
• The unit/panel system is a curtain wall assembly comprised of pre-assembled individual framing elements. The completed system is modular, portable and designed to be assembled as a finished assembly.

The test method described consists of sealing the test specimen to one face or inside of a test chamber, supplying or venting air to the chamber in accordance with a specified test loading schedule at a rate required to maintain the test pressure difference across the specimen, and observing, measuring and recording deflection, deformations and the nature of any structural distress or failure of the specimen.

The test loading program requires the application of a specific spectrum of pressure cycles followed by the application of positive and then negative maximum test loads.

This test method is a standard procedure for determining structural performance under cyclic air pressure differential. It is designed to represent the long-term effects of repeated wind load applications to exterior building surface elements, typically those that may be experienced during a hurricane or other extreme wind event.

This test method is intended for use with window, curtain wall and door assemblies where the effects of cyclic or repeated loads may be significant factors in the in-service structural performance of the system and such effects cannot be determined by testing under a single uniform static air pressure application. This test method is not designed to account for the effects of windborne debris.

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