Testing & Certification

Live testing involves real-world, physical experiments on composite materials to assess properties like strength, flexibility, and durability under various conditions. It provides direct, tangible results but can be time-consuming, costly, and requires physical prototypes.

Simulated testing, often done through Finite Element Analysis (FEA), uses computer models to predict how materials will behave under different conditions. This method is less costly, faster, and safer for testing extreme scenarios. However, it relies on the accuracy of the model and may not capture unforeseen real-world variables as effectively as live testing.

Both methods are complementary, offering a comprehensive understanding of material behaviour.

Absolutely. We can test any in-stock product to meet your specific load conditions. Most of our testing employs a simply supported point load (PL) method to evaluate load and deflection characteristics.

We also offer additional testing services, subject to the availability of our testing facilities and the complexity of the required tests. This flexibility ensures that we can provide tailored testing solutions to meet the unique requirements of your project.

Yes. We offer Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using a select range of FEA software packages. Our capabilities include validating material properties, conducting comprehensive structural analysis of fully assembled systems, and verifying loadings in accordance with British and international standards, including Eurocodes. This approach ensures a thorough and standards-compliant analysis, providing reliable insights for design and safety considerations.

A Point Load (PL) is a specific type of load applied to a concentrated area of a product’s surface, such as a floor. It is characterized by its defined shape, which can be circular or square, with precise dimensions.

In contrast, a Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL) refers to a load that is evenly spread across the entire surface area of the product. This distinction is crucial in engineering and design, as these load types affect the structural integrity and performance of materials in different ways.

Typical point load sizes are guided by relevant industry standards and typically range between 200-300mm, either in square shapes or circular diameters. This size specification is important for ensuring consistency in testing and design compliance across various applications.

We predominantly only conduct physical testing on individual components. We rely on this information to then conduct further analysis using FEA.

For Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP), the properties vary across different directions. GRP is classified as an orthotropic material, indicating distinct strengths and behaviours along its longitudinal and transverse axes. Standards are in place to define minimum property requirements for GRP, varying by the manufacturing method, such as pultruded profiles or moulded grating. These standards ensure that GRP materials meet specific performance criteria relevant to their directional properties.

Temperature significantly impacts the strength of materials, especially in composites like Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP). At high temperatures, materials may soften, leading to reduced strength and potential deformation.

Conversely, extreme cold can make some materials more brittle, increasing the risk of cracking or breaking under stress. Therefore, understanding and testing the thermal properties of materials is crucial for ensuring their reliability and safety in various temperature conditions.This is particularly important in applications where materials are exposed to fluctuating or extreme temperatures.

In Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) materials, deflection is usually quantified as the ratio of the span length to the vertical deflection under load. Standard guidelines typically specify a maximum deflection ratio of 1/200th of the span. However, our GRP products are rigorously tested to exceed this standard, demonstrating resilience up to 1/100th of the span without failure.

GRP’s inherent flexibility, combined with its high strength-to-weight ratio, allows for notable stiffness and durability, accommodating significant loads while maintaining structural integrity over various spans.

European standard: EN 13706 defines the minimum requirements quality, tolerances, strength, stiffness and surface of structural profiles and is currently the only published standards document that specifies minimum properties for various grades of pultruded materials. The two grades specified for pultruded profiles are the E23 grade and the E17 grade.

The grade number is taken from the minimum longitudinal tensile modulus of the grade in GPa (i.e. the relationship between the stiffness and stretchability of the material). In essence, E23 – has the strictest quality requirements, whilst E17 is easier to achieve and therefore weaker and less stringent in terms of quality.

All structural pultruded products supplied by Dura Composites meet or exceed the highest quality level in the standard – the E23 grade – meaning they are stronger than the equivalent E17 Grade products from our competitors, so you can design with confidence.

On request, our profiles can be manufactured with a Class B Fire Rating in accordance with the requirements of BS EN 13501.

Yes. Our experts are here to answer your questions regarding any of our material properties. Please feel free to ask us about our testing capabilities, data or FEA solutions.