at the center of the weakest edge (where this can be identified)
at the center of the paver
at a diagonal 70 mm from the edge of a pedestal head
Technical Data
Technical data, specifications and test results for Archatrak porcelain pavers.
General Characteristics
Archatrak supplies porcelain pavers manufactured in different locations by different manufacturers. Consequently, technical specifications may vary slightly between different pavers of different colors. We have thus prepared a chart showing typical technical characteristics in relation to relevant test methods and standards which apply to all porcelain pavers we supply, including static load, breaking strength, water absorption etc. The chart can be downloaded here.
Other technical data including specification data for submittals can be download from our Download Literature page.
Further information on test methods referred to in the technical characteristics is given below. Results of ASTM E108 Spread of Flame testing and Solar Reflectance (SRI) values for Archatrak porcelain pavers are also provided below.
Breaking Strength & Modulus of Rupture
No industry standard specifically relating to the use of porcelain pavers for outdoor raised floors or decks currently exists. Right now, the only somewhat related standard is EN 12825 “Raised Floors” of August 2001 where the specific field of application and purpose refers to “raised access floors, mainly used in indoor applications”. Most porcelain paver manufacturers provide test result figures applying to this standard.
In the static load test procedure under EN12825-2001, a paver is placed with each corner resting on a pedestal support and a steadily increasing load is applied using a 25mm x 25mm steel cube at a specific point until failure of the paver occurs. The test is repeated four times at three different positions:
at the center of the weakest edge (where this can be identified)
at the center of the paver
at a diagonal 70 mm from the edge of a pedestal head
The other test method commonly quoted is EN1339 which specifies materials, properties, requirements and test methods for cement bound non-reinforced concrete paving flags and complementary fittings for use in trafficked paved areas and roof coverings. In this standard, the breaking load is determined by applying increasing pressure from a load inducing bar placed across the full width of the paver and equidistant between two load bearing supports on the underside of the paver.
Impact Resistance
The standard test method used in the ceramics industry for determination of impact resistance is EN ISO 10545 – which measures the coefficient of restitution. In this test, a ¾” diam. steel ball is dropped from a height of 39” onto the center of 3” x 3” samples bonded to specially prepared concrete blocks 2” thick. The height of the rebound is measured, or, alternately, the interval of time between two successive rebounds. Any damage visible from the distance of 39” must be noted, but can be ignored in classifying tiles. A coefficient of restitution with a value of 0.55 is considered sufficient for normal low-stress levels of use; higher values are required in cases where greater stress is anticipated.
Whilst all Archatrak porcelain pavers exceed this minimum value, in elevated floor applications where pavers are supported only by adjustable height pedestals, the shock resistance under more severe conditions must be considered to avoid any risk of damage or injury should any paver suffer damage due to cracking. Despite their intrinsic density and stiffness, porcelain pavers may break if a heavy object is dropped from a significant height.
Where hard and heavy objects are likely to be used, or where floor heights are greater than 4”, appropriate reinforcement or protection should be used on the underside of the pavers, such as glued glass fiber mats, metal sheets or trays (available from Archatrak).
Resistance to Thermal Shock
The standard test procedure for ceramic/porcelain tiles is EN ISO 10545 – Part 9 Ceramic tiles Determination of Resistance to Thermal Shock. The test procedure is as follows.
Test must be performed on at least 5 tiles free from defects at the beginning of the test.
The procedure consists in cycling sample tiles ten times between the temperature of cold water and a temperature slightly higher than that of boiling water, generally between 15 and 145 °C. For tiles with a water absorption of under 10%, the lowest temperature is reached by means of the total immersion of the tiles in an uncovered bath with a water temperature of 15 °C. In case of tiles with a water absorption higher than 10%, the water bath must be covered with an aluminum plate on which a layer of aluminum grains is placed; the glazed surface of the tiles must be placed in contact with this layer.
In both cases, after 5 minutes at the low temperature, samples must be placed in an oven at 145°C for about 20 minutes and then immediately transferred back to the low temperature conditions.
At the end of 10 cycles, the samples are examined for visible defects.
Testing conducted on behalf of Archatrak on Kronos porcelain pavers under EN ISO 10545 – Part 9 showed no visible damage. The full test report can be downloaded from here.
Spread of Flame
The most relevant fire resistance test for porcelain pavers used in elevated deck applications is generally considered to be ASTM Test Method E108-11 “Standard Method of Fire Tests of Roof Coverings”.
This test method includes simulated fire exposure to the upper surface of the pavers and measures the surface spread of flame and the ability of the roof covering material or system to resist fire penetration from the exterior to the underside of a roof deck under the conditions of exposure.
This test method also provides criteria to determine if the roof covering material will develop flying burning material, identified as flying brands, when subjected to a 12-mph (5.3-m/s) wind during the simulated fire exposure tests.
Testing was conducted on behalf of Archatrak on Kronos Faggio porcelain pavers on an elevated deck bed with pavers supported on each corner by Eterno SE-3 pedestals set to a height of 3″. A flame temperature of 1400°F +/-50° was applied for 10 minutes with a wind velocity of 1056 ft./min with the tiles angled at 5″ per horizontal foot.
Kronos porcelain pavers met the Class A Spread of Flame requirements when tested in accordance with this ASTM Test Method E108-11. The full test report can be downloaded from here.
SRI (Solar Reflectance)
Solar Reflectance and SRI values for the lighter colored porcelain pavers in our range are presented below – as tested by Atlas Material Testing Solutions.
| Paver Color | % Solar Relectance | SRI |
|---|---|---|
| Terrazzo Cool White | - | 84 |
| Crystal White | - | 81 |
| Sandy White | 65.1 | 79 |
| Maple | 64.8 | 78 |
| Marble | - | 75 |
| Coral | - | 70 |
| Limestone | - | 69 |
| Faro | 56.6 | 67 |
| Cenere | 53.2 | 62 |
| Clay | - | 61 |
| Calstone | 48.4 | 56 |
| Sirocco | 47.7 | 55 |
| Cemento | 47.1 | 54 |
| Oak | 46.9 | 54 |
| Rim Rock | - | 50 |
| Titan | 39.5 | 44 |
| Tectona | 38.6 | 43 |
| Greystone | 37.1 | 41 |
| Leatherwood | 37.9 | 41 |
| Hyalite | - | 40 |
| Bluestone | 36.4 | 40 |
| Sandalo | 35.2 | 38 |
| Nut | 35.1 | 38 |
| Lapacho | 33.1 | 36 |
| Copper Canyon | - | 24 |
SRI testing conducted by Atlas Material Testing Solutions - Nov 2018
For further information about the product testing mentioned above or testing in general, call us on 866 206 8316 or send us an email.