This document specifies three methods for the determination of the tensile properties of materials used as surfaces, elastic layers and shockpads for sports areas.
Method 1 measures the tensile strength of homogenous test specimens that are less than 25 mm in thickness.
Method 2 measures the transversal tensile strength of homogenous test specimens that are more than 25 mm in thickness.
Method 3 measures the tensile strength of sports surfaces or shockpads that are non-homogenous and contain slots or grooves cut into their structure.
This document is applicable both to prefabricated sheet materials and to materials formed by casting of liquid systems cured in-situ.
If the nature of the sports surface is such that a properly representative test piece cannot be prepared in the manner described in this document, then determination of tensile properties should not be attempted for quality control purposes, or as a predictor of performance in use. With such materials, it can be more appropriate to determine their compressive properties or other dynamic characteristics for these purposes.