Determining FF (Floor Flatness) and FL (Floor Levelness) Numbers

Let us understand, how traditional floor installer and engineers followed the "Straight edge specification" for inspection of floor level and flatness:

In 1979, Allen Face developed the F-number system, officially called the Face Floor Profile Numbering System, which was later formalized into the ASTM E1155 and the ACI national standards. He later developed the Dipstick® Floor Profiler and the F-Meter®, the tools needed to take more accurate measurements than the straightedge method.

As per ASTM E 1155 – 96 and ACI 302.1, determination of FF (Floor Flatness) and FL (Floor Levelness) numbers can be tested at site level.

Floor Levelness (FL)
FL numbers provide information about the concrete floor's levelness. Levelness depicts how closely the finished floor matches the intended slope indicated in the design documents. Elevation differences are measured every 10-feet within 72 hours after the concrete is placed and those measurements are entered into a calculation to determine floor levelness (FL). Higher FL numbers indicate a more level floor and the numbers are linear so a FL of 50 is twice as level as an FL of 25.


Floor Flatness (FF)
FF numbers depict the Floor Flatness, or how close to planar the floor is. In other words, Floor Flatness is a statistical measurement of how wavy or bumpy a concrete floor is and takes into account the amplitude (height if the waves) and the wavelength (horizontal distance between waves). Elevation differences are taken every foot within 72 hours after the concrete is placed and a formula determines the FF measurement. As with FL, the measurements are linear and higher numbers represent a flatter floor. For example, a floor with an FF measurement of 60 is twice as flat as a floor with an FF of 30.

This test method provides

1. Statistical (and graphical) information concerning floor surface profiles.

2. Primarily we can establish compliance of randomly trafficked floor surfaces with specified FF Flatness and FL Levelness tolerances.

3. Evaluate the effect of different construction methods on resulting floor surface flatness and levelness.

4. Investigate the curling and deflection of floor surfaces.

5. Results of this test method shall not be used to enforce contract flatness and levelness tolerances on those floor installations primarily intended to support the operation of fixed path vehicle systems (for example, narrow aisle warehouse floors).

Location of Sample Measurement Lines on Test Section: 

Floors classification based on Flatness and Levelness according to ACI 117:

CLASSIFICATION	SPECIFIED OVERALL FLATNESS (SOFF)	SPECIFIED OVERALL LEVELNESS (SOFL)
Conventional	20	15
Moderately Flat	25	20
Flat	35	25
Very Flat	45	35
Super Flat	60	40

Super flat floors require special skill and equipment to achieve and should only be used for the most critical of concrete floors in specialized programs like television studios. Super flat floors may also be specified to have FF 100 and FL 50, but these are for defined-traffic (single direction of travel) installations such as narrow-aisle warehouses as opposed to a random-traffic floors that the ACI 117 standard covers.

American Concrete Institute publication ACI-302.1, the following FF and FL values are acceptable based on the uses:

USAGE	FLOOR FLATNESS (FF)	FLOOR LEVELNESS (FL)
Noncritical spaces, mechanical rooms, back-of-house, parking, areas to receive thick-set tile	FF 20	FL 15
General office, light industrial, carpeted spaces	FF 25	FL 20
General warehouse floors, areas to received thin-set tile, laboratories	FF 30-35	FL 20-25
Warehouses with air-pallet use, ice rinks	FF 45	FL 35
Movie and television studios	FF >50	FL >50

Let see the on-site testing video for testing the F Number of floor using Dipstick:

Where still accurate flatness is required, Floor profiler is used. Let see the on-site testing video for testing the F Number of floor using Floor Profiler:

From Concrete Society Technical Report 34 (TR 34):

For on site testing: CONCRETE PLANNER, 524, Udyog Vihar, Phase-5, Gurugram, Haryana, India. Pin: 122016, Email- Info@concreteplanners.com, Phone: +91-8505866600 

Many thanks for google.com, http://www.iceline.com, Dipstick Profiler, https://concretesociety.co.za, Parmeet Bhalla BGSB, CONCRETE PLANNER, from where the details are collected.

Testing the geotextile membranes Non-woven cloth– ISO 9703-3

As per ISO 9703-3, determination of determination of tensile strength and elongation of geotextile membrane shall be tested as follows:

Tensile testing machine, constant rate of extension type, equipped with an autographic recorder to register applied force and clamp separation. – Shall be used.

Unless otherwise specified, cut five test pieces in the machine direction and five in the cross-machine direction, ensuring that they are all taken at least100mm from the edge and are equally distributed across the width and length of the specimen.

Cut the test pieces 50mm ± 0,5mm wide and of sufficient length to allow a jaw separation

of 200mm.

Clamps, with jaws capable of holding the test pieces securely across their full width without damage.

If wet tensile tests are required, soak the test pieces, without conditioning, for at least 1 h in a solution containing 1g of a non-ionic wetting agent per litre of distilled water. Remove a test piece, shake off excess water, and test immediately. Repeat the operation for each of the other nine test pieces.

As per ASTM D4964 – 96 / D5034, testing can be done as follows using modern testing instruments, let see the video:

Many thanks for google.com and ADMET Testing Systems from where the details are collected. 

Testing the geotextile membranes Non-woven cloth– ISO 9703-2

As per ISO 9703-2, determination of thickness of geotextile membrane shall be tested as follows:

Before testing, we need to know the membrane is bulky or normal. Non woven membranes which are compressible by 20% or more at pressure of 0.1 to 0.5 Kpa is know as Bulky non-woven.

In this standard, different weighing machines with load is specified for different types of non-woven membranes:

1. For normal non-woven: 10 pieces of 2500 Sqmm.

2. For bulky non-woven thickness of 20mm: 10 No’s 130X 80 mm

3. For bulky non-woven thickness of greater than 20mm: 10 No’s 200 X 200 mm

As per ISO 3616/5084/9073 ASTM D 1777, testing can be done as follows using modern testing instruments, let see the video:

Many thanks for google.com and B-TEX Engineering & Laboratory from where the details are collected.

Testing the geotextile membranes Non-woven cloth– ISO 9703 - 1

As per ISO 9703-1, determination of mass per unit area of geotextile membrane shall be tested as follows:

1. Cut the membrane of dimension of 200 X 250mm = 50,000 Sqmm using razor blade.

2. Weigh the sample using ±0.1% of the determined mas.

3. Express the result in GSM (Grams per Sq Mtr).

As per As per ASTM D3776 / D3776M - 09a, the testing can also be made very accurately by using GSM Round Cutter and Digital GSM Tester, sample shall be of
Option A—Full Piece, Roll, Bolt or Cut (Section 7).
Option B—Full Width Sample (Section 8).
Option C—Small Swatch of Fabric (Section 9).
1.2.4 Option D—Narrow Fabrics (Section 10).

Let see the video:

Many thanks for google.com and TEXCARE INSTRUMENTS from where the details are collected.

Construction standards

There are many standards which helps to know about the products, requirements, testing process, best installation methods, etc:

ASTM Standard (American Section of the International Association for Testing Materials):

ASTM International predates other standards organizations such as the BSI (1901), IEC (1906), DIN (1917), ANSI (1918), AFNOR (1926), and ISO (1947).

Standard designations usually consist of a letter prefix and a sequentially assigned number. This may optionally be followed by a dash and the last two digits of the year in which the standard was adopted. Prefix letters correspond to the following subjects:

A = Iron and Steel Materials

B = Nonferrous Metal Materials

C = Ceramic, Concrete, and Masonry Materials 

D = Miscellaneous Materials 

E = Miscellaneous Subjects 

F = Materials for Specific Applications 

G = Corrosion, Deterioration, and Degradation of Materials 

DIN Standards Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V. (German Institute for Standardization) develops norms and standards for rationalization, quality assurance, environmental protection, safety and communication in industry, technology, science, and government, as well as the public domain. DIN standards are the results of work at national, European and/or international level. Anyone can submit a proposal for a new standard. Once accepted, the standards project is carried out according to set rules of procedure by the relevant DIN Standards Committee, the relevant Technical Committee of the European standards organization CEN (CENELEC for electrotechnical standards) or the relevant committee at the international standards organization ISO (IEC for electrotechnical projects).

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations.

Founded on 23 February 1947, the organization promotes worldwide proprietary, industrial and commercial standards. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland,[3] and works in 162 countries.

It was one of the first organizations granted general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

EN (Euopren Norms) Standards (abbreviated ENs owing to the more literal translation from French/German as European Norms) maintained by CEN (European Committee for Standardization), CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute).

IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards.

International Classification for Standards (ICS) is an international classification system for technical standards. It is designed to cover every economic sector and virtually every activity of the humankind where technical standards may be used.

Developed and maintained by the International Organization for Standardization, the ICS is intended to be a continuous work in progress and is updated when necessary. The latest edition of the ICS can be downloaded free of charge from the ISO web site.

Anyone may submit a proposal for modifications or additions to the ICS.

Purpose: The ICS serves as a structure for catalogues and databases of technical standards and other normative documents, and as a basis for standing-order systems for international, regional and national standards.

Classification principles: The ICS uses an hierarchical classification, which consists of three nested levels called fields (Level 1), groups(Level 2) and sub-groups (Level 3). Each field is subdivided into groups, which are further divided into sub-groups.

All classification levels are designated by a classification code (called notation) and a title. The notation is a set of Arabic numerals.

Top-level items, which have no parent levels, use a two-digit notation, for example:

43 ROAD VEHICLE ENGINEERING

The notations for groups and sub-groups include the parent-level notations. The example below shows a notation for Sub-Group 20 (Level 3), which belongs to Group 040 (Level 2) in Field 43 (Level 1).

43.040.20 Lighting, signaling and warning devices

Level 1 (Fields)

A field is the first level in the International Classification for Standards. It may represent one or a combination of the following: 

A sector of the economy such as agriculture, mining, construction or the packaging industry; 

A technology such as telecommunications or food processing; 

An activity such as environment protection, safety assurance and protection of public health; 

A field of science such as mathematics or astronomy. 

At present the classification includes 40 fields.

01 Generalities. Terminology. Standardization. Documentation

03 Services. Company Organization, Management And Quality. Administration. Transport. Sociology

07 Mathematics. Natural Sciences

11 Health Care Technology

13 Environment. Health Protection. Safety

17 Metrology And Measurement. Physical Phenomena

19 Testing

21 Mechanical Systems And Components For General Use

23 Fluid Systems And Components For General Use

25 Manufacturing Engineering

27 Energy And Heat Transfer Engineering

29 Electrical Engineering

31 Electronics

33 Telecommunications. Audio And Video Engineering

35 Information Technology. Office Machines

37 Image Technology

39 Precision Mechanics. Jewelry

43 Road Vehicles Engineering

45 Railway Engineering

47 Shipbuilding And Marine Structures

49 Aircraft And Space Vehicle Engineering

53 Materials Handling Equipment

55 Packaging And Distribution Of Goods

59 Textile And Leather Technology

61 Clothing Industry

65 Agriculture

67 Food Technology

71 Chemical Technology

73 Mining And Minerals

75 Petroleum, And Related Technologies

77 Metallurgy

79 Wood Technology

81 Glass And Ceramics Industries

83 Rubber And Plastics Industries

85 Paper Technology

87 Paint And Colour Industries

91 Construction Materials And Building

93 Civil Engineering

95 Military Engineering

97 Domestic And Commercial Equipment. Entertainment. Sports

Level 2 (Groups)

The ICS second level, the group, is a subdivision of the field.

Level 3 (Sub-Groups)

Sub-groups are used in the ICS to subdivide groups into subjects that certain to a particular aspect of the subject covered by a given group. Regardless of the subject, virtually all groups include a sub-group No. 01 that covers the complete subject of the respective group. In addition, most of the groups contain a sub-group No. 99 for standards on subjects which do not correspond either to the subjects of the general sub-groups or to the subjects of the specific sub-groups of the respective groups.

Level 4 (Units)

Level 4 subdivisions are not part of the official ICS document. The ICS rules however allow users of the classification system to subdivide the official ICS sub-groups into so-called units, making them a Level 4 component of the International Classification for Standards. This is accomplished by adding a two-digit number to the notation of the sub-group being subdivided. However, instead of a period, new notations use a hyphen as a separator.

API Standards (American Petroleum Institute) - Since 1924, The American Petroleum Institute (API) has been the leader in developing equipment and operating standards for the oil and natural gas industry.

Each year API works with leading industry subject-matter experts to maintain our inventory of over 600 standards and recommended practices. API distributes over 250,000 documents annually worldwide, and continues to strive to enhance safety operations, improve quality assurance, and promote the global acceptance of petroleum products and best practices. API standards are designed to assist industry professionals improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of their operations, comply with legislative and regulatory requirements, safeguard health, and protect the environment.

IS standard for coating material

IS 15489 - PAINT, PLASTIC EMULSION —SPECIFICATION, standard prescribes the requirements and methods of sampling and test for plastic emulsion paint used for interior and exterior protection and decoration of building surfaces after surface preparation and priming.

They classify, Plastic emulsion paint shall be of two types:

a) Type 1 For interior use, and

b) Type 2 For exterior use.

And again, four classes of products:

a) Matt finish,

b) Egg shell/satin finish,

c) Semi-glossy finish, and

d) Glossy finish.

Let see the testing method:

For other standards, refer: https://annayyachandrashekar.blogspot.com/2018/07/what-is-glossy-surface.html

Many thanks for google.com from where the details are collected.

Reinforcing cloth for waterproofing treatment

There is lot of difference between the reinforcing mats and reinforcing felts. Reinforcing mats / mesh are the one product which will be sandwiched in between the liquid applied coatings. Reinforcing felts means, reinforcing mats / mesh applied with coating and dry to install as sheets. Here in this blog, we discuss about the fibre reinforcing mats / mess / cloth.

Reinforcing cloth used for waterproofing for the following reasons:

a. To build up the thickness.

b. To increase the rigidity of the membrane.

c. To increase the wear resistivity of the coating to resist the foot traffic.

d. To maintain the proper thickness at the corners and at pipe penetrations where the application is problematic.

e. To resist the stress and strain at the corners and in between the 2 same or different substrates.

Let see how to install the reinforcing cloth in waterproofing coating:

IS 7193, This standard covers the requirements of self-finished glass fibre base bitumen felts for use in water-proofing

and damp-proofing.

Let see what IS 7193 says: 

  

Many thanks for google.com from where the details are collected.

IS standard for paint products:

IS 9862 - SPECIFICATION FOR READY MIXED PAINT, standard prescribes requirements and methods of sampling and

test for ready mixed paints, brushing, bituminous, black, lead-free, acid, alkali, water and chlorine resisting.

It explains the followings:

What shall be the main composition in paint?

How much shall be the water content in the paint?

What shall be specific gravity?

How much shall be lead content?

Resistant to water, acids and other liquids.

Let see the requirements of good paint / coating products:

Many thanks for google.com from where the details are collected.

Requirement of tile joint grouting product

There is Indian standard for stating the minimum requirement for chemical resistant grouting mortar material – IS 4389. Whereas, BS EN 13888 talks about the requirement of cementitious and epoxy grout used for tile joints. Here in this blog, we discuss about the BS EN 13888.

Standard BS EN 13888, specifies the performance requirements for cementitious and reaction resin grouts for ceramic tiles.

The basic or fundamental specification for the cementitious grout shall be as follows:

The additional specification for the cementitious grout shall be as follows:

 

The basic or fundamental specification for the epoxy or resinous grout shall be as follows:

  

For epoxy or resinous grout, there is no additional specification. But, some test like Flexural strength after freeze-thaw cycles, Compressive strength after freeze-thaw cycles, Water absorption after 30 min.. are not required to test.

Based on the strength parameters, both Cementitious Grout (CG) and Resinous Grout (RG) can be given class as follows:  

Chemical resistant grouting mortar material as per IS 4389, refer to: https://annayyachandrashekar.blogspot.com/2018/03/chemical-resistant-mortar-is-4832.html

Many thanks for google.com from where the details are collected.

Compressive Strength of Chemical-Resistant Mortars

As per ASTM C 579, test methods cover the determination of the compressive strength of chemical-resistant mortars, grouts, monolithic surfacing, and polymer concretes. These materials may be based on resin, silicate, silica, or sulphur binders.

There are 3 methods are explained in this standard:

Test Method A - outlines the testing procedure generally used for systems containing aggregate less than 0.0625 in. (1.6 mm) in size. Moulds size shall be right cylinder of 25mm in diameter by 25mm high are tested

Test Method B - covers the testing procedure generally used for systems containing aggregate from 0.0625 to 0.4 in. (1.6 to 10 mm) in size. Moulds size of 50 mm cube are tested.

Test Method C - is used for systems containing aggregate larger than 0.4 in. Moulds shall be right cylinders diameter shall be at least four times the nominal maximum aggregate size in the mix, but minimum cylinder diameter shall be 50 mm. The cylinder height shall be two times the diameter.

Filling and Capping for top with Resin, Silica, and Silicate Specimens—The top layer may be filled to slightly below the top edge of the mould except for sulphur materials.

Let see the testing procedure: 

Many thanks for google.com and Matt OReilly from where the details and video collected.