§ 27-599 Load tests.
AC § 27-599
(a)Prequalifying load tests. The provisions of this section shall apply only to load tests made for the purpose of establishing the structural adequacy of members or assemblies before such members or assemblies are incorporated into the work. Load tests for the purpose of establishing the strength of an element or assembly, in place, after construction, shall conform to the requirements of subdivision (b) of this section.
(1)TEST SPECIMENS. The test specimens shall be a true representation of the units or assemblies to be used in the work and, unless sufficient tests are conducted on differing specimens to interpolate the performance of members of varying characteristics, test specimens shall be substantially identical with the units or assemblies to be used in service. Particular attention shall be given to matching the type and grade of material and, in the case of concrete, the mix, age, curing, and other pertinent variables.
(2)SUPPORT CONDITIONS AND INTERACTION. Load tests shall be performed in such a manner that the supports for the members or assemblies being tested will simulate the conditions of support in the building, except that conditions of partial fixity may be approximated by condition of full or zero restraint, whichever produces a more severe stress condition in the member being tested. The test conditions shall be such as to obviate all interaction of fills, finishes, partitions, supports, or members whose interaction normally would be neglected in design. Where continuous, multiple, intersecting, or connected members are used in the test, all interacting members shall be simultaneously and fully loaded and additional tests shall be performed under the partial loading conditions specified in subchapter nine of this chapter. Test specimens shall not be unloaded and reloaded or subjected to cyclical loading, except as specifically required by the provisions of this code and except that the adding of increments of additional load to a member already under load and the application of the test load as described in subparagraph b of paragraph three of this subdivision following removal of the test load described in subparagraph a of paragraph three of this subdivision will be permitted.
(3)STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS. The member or assembly, supported as described in paragraph two of this subdivision, shall be capable of supporting: a. Without visible damage (other than hairline cracks) its own weight plus a test load equal to one hundred fifty per cent of the design live load plus one hundred fifty per cent of any dead load that will be added at the site; and b. Without collapse, its own weight plus a test load equal to fifty per cent of its own weight plus two hundred fifty per cent of the design live load plus two hundred fifty per cent of any dead load that will be added at the site. The latter loading shall remain in place for a minimum period of one week. All loading conditions described in subchapter nine of this chapter shall be considered. The design live load shall be the nominal value reduced for contributory area as described in subchapter nine. Except as permitted under paragraph five of this subdivision, units to be tested shall be full size. Load bearing wall and partition assemblies shall be tested both with and without window and door framing where such framing will be included in the final assemblies. Exception. If the load tests are conducted and the results promulgated in a manner that will permit clear differentiation between the dead and live load components added at the site, then the capacity of the member or assembly without visible damage other than hairline cracks as determined under load test condition in subparagraph a of paragraph three of this subdivision, may be reduced to the weight of the member, plus any dead load that will be added at the site, plus one hundred fifty per cent of the design live load; and the capacity of the member or assembly to resist collapse as determined under load test condition in subparagraph b of paragraph three of this subdivision may be reduced to one hundred fifty per cent of the weight of the member, plus one hundred fifty per cent of any dead load that will be added at the site, plus two hundred fifty per cent of the design live load.
(4)DEFLECTION REQUIREMENT. With the member or assembly supported as described in paragraph two of this subdivision, and after loading as required by the provisions of subparagraph a of paragraph three of this subdivision and the removal of said load, the percentage of recovery of the deflection caused by the superimposed load shall be at least seventy-five per cent. The deflection under the design live load shall not exceed that permitted in this subchapter.
(5)MODEL TESTS. Tests on models less than full size may be used to determine the relative intensity, direction, and distribution of stresses and applied loads, but shall not be considered as a proper method for evaluating stresses in, nor the strength of, individual members unless approved by the commissioner for this purpose. Where model analysis is proposed as a means of establishing the structural design, the following conditions shall be met: a. Analysis shall be made by a firm or a corporation satisfactory to the commissioner. b. The similitude, scaling, and validity of the analysis shall be attested to by an officer or principal of the firm or corporation making the analysis. c. A report on the analysis shall be submitted showing test set-ups, equipment, and readings.
(b)Load tests of completed construction. The provisions of this subdivision shall apply to any type of construction where the appropriate reference standard does not provide for load test of completed construction and the construction is questionable. When the appropriate reference standard provides for such load testing, the provisions of reference standard shall be used.
