Test Loads and Test Procedures
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Conventions - CSC - International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972 - International Convention for Safe Containers, 19721 - Annex II - Structural Safety Requirements and TestsGeneral Provisions - Test Loads and Test Procedures

Test Loads and Test Procedures

 Where appropriate to the design of the container, the following test loads and test procedures shall be applied to all kinds of containers under test:

1 LIFTING
The container, having the prescribed internal loading, shall be lifted in such a way that no significant acceleration forces are applied. After lifting, the container shall be suspended or supported for five minutes and then lowered to the ground.
(A) Lifting from corner fittings
TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
Internal load: (i) Lifting from top corner fittings:
A uniformly distributed load such that the sum of the mass of container and test load is equal to 2R. In the case of a tank container, when the test load of the internal load plus the tare is less than 2R, a supplementary load, distributed over the length of the tank, is to be added to the container. Containers greater than 3,000 mm (to ft) (nominal) in length shall have lifting forces applied vertically at all four top corner fittings.
Containers of 3,000 mm (10ft) (nominal) in length or less shall have lifting forces applied at all four top corner fittings, in such a way that the angle between each lifting device and the vertical shall be 30°.
Externally applied forces: (ii) Lifting from bottom corner fittings:
Such as to lift the sum of a mass of 2R in the manner prescribed (under the heading TEST PROCEDURES). Containers shall have lifting forces applied in such a manner that the lifting devices bear on the bottom corner fittings only. The lifting forces shall be applied at angles to the horizontal of:
  30° for containers of length 12,000 mm (40 ft) (nominal) or greater,
  37° for containers of length 9,000 mm (30 ft) (nominal) and up to but not including 12,000 mm (40 ft) (nominal),
  45° for containers of length 6,000 mm (20 ft) (nominal) and up to but not including 9,000 mm (30 ft) (nominal),
  60° for containers of length less than 6,000 mm (20 ft) (nominal).
(B) Lifting by any other additional methods
TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
Internal load: (i) Lifting from fork-lift pockets:
A uniformly distributed load such that the sum of the mass of container and test load is equal to 1.25R. The container shall be placed on bars which are in the same horizontal plane, one bar being centred within each fork-lift pocket which is used for lifting the loaded container. The bars shall be of the same width as the forks intended to be used in the handling, and shall project into the fork pocket 75% of the length of the fork pocket.
Externally applied forces:
Such as to lift the combined weight of 1.25R in the manner prescribed (under the heading TEST PROCEDURES).
Internal load: (ii) Lifting from grappler-arm positions:
A uniformly distributed load such that the sum of the mass of container and test load is equal to 1.25R. In the case of a tank container, when the test load of the internal load plus the tare is less than 1.25R, a supplementary load, distributed over the length of the tank, is to be added to the container. The container shall be placed on pads in the same horizontal plane, one under each grappler-arm position. These pads shall be of the same sizes as the lifting area of the grappler arms intended to be used.
Externally applied forces:        
Such as to lift the sum of a mass of 1.25R in the manner prescribed (under the heading TEST PROCEDURES).        
        (iii) Other methods:
        Where containers are designed to be lifted in the loaded condition by any method not mentioned in (A) or (B)(i) and (ii) they shall also be tested with the internal load and externally applied forces representative of the acceleration conditions appropriate to that method.
2 STACKING
  1 For conditions of international transport where the maximum vertical acceleration varies significantly from 1.8 g and when the container is reliably and effectively limited to such conditions of transport, the stacking load may be varied by the appropriate ratio of acceleration.
  2 On successful completion of this test, the container may be rated for the allowable superimposed static stacking load, which should be indicated on the Safety Approval Plate against the heading ALLOWABLE STACKING LOAD FOR 1.8 g (kg and lbs).
TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
Internal load: The container, having the prescribed internal loading, shall be placed on four level pads which are in turn supported on a rigid horizontal surface. one under each bottom corner fitting or equivalent corner structure. The pads shall be centralized under the fittings and shall be of approximately the same plan dimensions as the fittings
A uniformly distributed load such that the sum of the mass of container and test load is equal to 1.8R. Tank containers may be tested in the tare condition.
Externally applied forces:  
Such as to subject each of the four top corner fittings to a vertical downward force equal to 0.25 x 1.8 x the gravitational force of the allowable superimposed static stacking load. Each externally applied force shall be applied to each of the corner fittings through a corresponding test corner fitting or through a pad of the same plan dimensions. The test corner fitting or pad shall be offset with respect to the top corner fitting of the container by 25 mm (1 in) laterally and 38 mm (1 in) longitudinally.
3 CONCENTRATED LOADS
TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
(a) On roof
Internal load: The externally applied forces shall be applied vertically downwards to the outer surface of the weakest area of the roof of the container.
None.
Externally applied forces:  
A concentrated gravitational force of 300 kg (660 lbs) uniformly distributed over an area of 600 mm x 300 mm (24 in x 12 in).  
(b) On floor
Internal load: The test should be made with the container resting on four level supports under its four bottom corners in such a manner that the base structure of the container is free to deflect.
Two concentrated loads each of 2,730 kg (6,000 lbs) and each added to the container floor within a contact area of 142 cm2 (22 sq in).
Externally applied forces: A testing device loaded to a mass of 5,460 kg (12,000 lbs), that is, 2,730 kg (6,000 lbs) on each of two surfaces, having, when loaded, a total contact area of 284 cm2 (44 sq in), that is, 142 cm2 (22 sq in) on each surface, the surface width being 180 mm (7 in) spaced 760 mm (30 in) apart, centre to centre, should be manoeuvred over the entire floor area of the container.
None.
4 TRANSVERSE RACKING
TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
(a) On roof
Internal load: The container in tare condition shall be placed on four level supports, one under each bottom corner. and shall be restrained against lateral and vertical movement by means of anchor devices so arranged that the lateral restraint is provided only at the bottom corners diagonally opposite to those at which the forces are applied.
None.
Externally applied forces: The externally applied forces shall be applied either separately or simultaneously to each of the top corner fittings on one side of the container in lines parallel both to the base and to the planes of the ends of the container. The forces shall be applied first towards and then away from the top corner fittings. In the case of containers in which each end is symmetrical about its own vertical centreline. one side only need be tested. but both sides of containers with asymmetric ends shall be tested.
Such as to rack the end structures of the container sideways. The forces shall be equal to those for which the container was designed.
5 LONGITUDINAL RESTRAINT (STATIC TEST)
When designing and constructing containers, it must be borne in mind that containers, when carried by inland modes of transport, may sustain accelerations of 2g applied horizontally in a longitudinal direction.
TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
Internal load: The container, having the prescribed internal loading, shall be restrained longitudinally by securing the two bottom corner fittings or equivalent corner structures at one end to suitable anchor points.

The externally applied forces shall be applied first towards and then away from the anchor points. Each side of the container shall be tested.
A uniformly distributed load, such that the sum of the mass of a container and test load is equal to the maximum operating gross mass or rating R. In the case of a tank container, when the mass of the internal load plus the tare is less than the maximum gross mass or rating, R, a supplementary load is to be added to the container.
Externally applied forces:  
Such as to subject each side of the container to longitudinal compressive and tensile forces of magnitude Rg, that is, a combined force of 2Rg on the base of the container as a whole.
6 END-WALLS
he end-walls should be capable of withstanding a force of not less than 0.4 times the force equal to gravitational force by maximum permissible payload. If, however, the end-walls are designed to withstand a force of less or greater than 0.4 times the gravitational force by maximum permissible payload, such a strength factor shall be indicated on the Safety Approval Plate in accordance with annex I, regulation 1.
TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
Internal load: The prescribed internal loading shall be applied as follows:
Such as to subject the inside of an end-wall to a uniformly distributed force of 0.4Pg or such other force for which the container may be designed.
Both ends of a container shall be tested except that where the ends are identical only one end need be tested. The end-walls of containers which do not have open sides or side doors may be tested separately or simultaneously.
Externally applied forces: The end-walls of containers which do have open sides or side doors should be tested separately. When the ends are tested separately the reactions to the forces applied to the end-wall shall be confined to the base structure of the container.
None.
7 SIDE-WALLS
The side-walls should be capable of withstanding a force of not less than 0.6 times the force equal to the gravitational force by maximum permissible payload. If, however, the side-walls are designed to withstand a force of less or greater than 0.6 times the gravitational force by maximum permissible payload, such a strength factor shall be indicated on the Safety Approval Plate in accordance with annex I, regulation 1.
TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
Internal load: The prescribed internal loading shall be applied as follows:
Such as to subject the inside of a side-wall to a uniformly distributed force of 0.6Pg or such other force for which the container may be designed.
Both sides of a container shall be tested except that where the sides are identical only one side need be tested. Side-walls shall be tested separately and the reactions to the internal loading shall be confined to the corner fittings or equivalent corner structures. Open-topped containers shall be tested in the condition in which they are designed to be operated. for example. with removable top members in position.
Externally applied forces:
None.
8 ONE DOOR OFF OPERATION
8.1 Containers with one door removed have a significant reduction in their ability to withstand racking forces and, potentially, a reduction in stacking strength. The removal of a door on a container in operation is considered a modification of the container. Containers must be approved for one door off operation. Such approval shall be based on test results as set forth below.
8.2

On successful completion of the stacking test the container may be rated for the allowable superimposed stacking mass, which should be indicated on the Safety Approval Plate immediately below line 5: ALLOWABLE STACKING MASS FOR 1.8 g (kg and lbs) ONE DOOR OFF.

8.3

On successful completion of the racking test the transverse racking test force shall be indicated on the Safety Approval Plate immediately below line 6: TRANSVERSE RACKING TEST FORCE ONE DOOR OFF (newtons).

TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
Stacking  
Internal load:  
A uniformly distributed load such that the sum of the mass of container and test load is equal to 1.8R. he test procedures shall be as set forth under 2 STACKING
Externally applied forces:  
Such as to subject each of the four top corner fittings to a vertical downward force equal to 0.25 x 1.8 x the gravitational force of the allowable superimposed static stacking load.  
Transverse racking  
Internal load:  
None. The test procedures shall be as set forth under 4 TRANSVERSE RACKING
Externally applied forces:  
Such as to rack the end structures of the container sideways. The forces shall be equal to those for which the container was designed.  
Parent topic: Annex II - Structural Safety Requirements and TestsGeneral Provisions
Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.