ASTM D5321/D5321M-21

Standard Test Method for Determining the Shear Strength of Soil-Geosynthetic and Geosynthetic-Geosynthetic Interfaces by Direct Shear

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The procedure described in this test method for determination of the shear resistance of the soil and geosynthetic or geosynthetic and geosynthetic interface is intended as a performance test to provide the user with a set of design values for the test conditions examined. The test specimens and conditions, including normal stresses, are generally selected by the user.  
5.2 This test method may be used for acceptance testing of commercial shipments of geosynthetics, but caution is advised as outlined in 5.2.1.  
5.2.1 The shear resistance can be expressed only in terms of actual test conditions (see Notes 2 and 3). The determined value may be a function of the applied normal stress, material characteristics (for example, of the geosynthetic), soil properties, size of sample, moisture content, drainage conditions, displacement rate, magnitude of displacement, and other parameters.
Note 2: In the case of acceptance testing requiring the use of soil, the user must furnish the soil sample, soil parameters, and direct shear test parameters. The method of test data interpretation for purposes of acceptance should be mutually agreed to by the users of this test method.
Note 3: Testing under this test method should be performed by laboratories qualified in the direct shear testing of soils and meeting the requirements of Practice D3740, especially since the test results may depend on site-specific and test conditions.  
5.2.2 This test method measures the total resistance to shear between a geosynthetic and a supporting material (substratum) or a geosynthetic and an overlying material (superstratum). The total shear resistance may be a combination of sliding, rolling, and interlocking of material components.  
5.2.3 This test method does not distinguish between individual mechanisms, which may be a function of the soil and geosynthetic used, method of material placement and hydration, normal and shear stresses applied, means used to hold the geosynthetic in pla...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the shear resistance of a geosynthetic against soil, or a geosynthetic against another geosynthetic, under a constant rate of deformation.  
1.1.1 The test method is intended to indicate the performance of the selected specimen by attempting to model certain field conditions. Results obtained from this method may be limited in their applicability to the specific conditions considered in the testing.  
1.2 The test method is applicable for all geosynthetics, with the exception of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), which are addressed in Test Method D6243/D6243M.  
1.3 The test method is not suited for the development of exact stress-strain relationships for the test specimen due to the nonuniform distribution of shearing forces and displacement.  
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2021
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.01 - Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D6243/D6243M-20 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Internal and Interface Shear Strength of Geosynthetic Clay Liner by the Direct Shear Method
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4354-12(2020) - Standard Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5321/D5321M − 21
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Shear Strength of Soil-Geosynthetic and
1
Geosynthetic-Geosynthetic Interfaces by Direct Shear
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5321/D5321M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversaprocedurefordeterminingthe
D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
shear resistance of a geosynthetic against soil, or a geosyn-
Fluids
thetic against another geosynthetic, under a constant rate of
D698Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
deformation.
3
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600
1.1.1 The test method is intended to indicate the perfor-
3
kN-m/m ))
manceoftheselectedspecimenbyattemptingtomodelcertain
D1557Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
field conditions. Results obtained from this method may be
3
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
limited in their applicability to the specific conditions consid-
3
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
ered in the testing.
D2435/D2435MTest Methods for One-Dimensional Con-
1.2 The test method is applicable for all geosynthetics, with
solidation Properties of Soils Using Incremental Loading
the exception of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), which are
D2487Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
addressed in Test Method D6243/D6243M.
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
D3080/D3080MTest Method for Direct Shear Test of Soils
1.3 The test method is not suited for the development of
Under Consolidated Drained Conditions (Withdrawn
exactstress-strainrelationshipsforthetestspecimenduetothe
3
2020)
nonuniform distribution of shearing forces and displacement.
D3740Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
D4354Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance
D4439Terminology for Geosynthetics
with the standard.
D6243/D6243MTest Method for Determining the Internal
and Interface Shear Strength of Geosynthetic Clay Liner
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
by the Direct Shear Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1 Definitions:
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to soil and rock, refer
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
to Terminology D653. For definitions of terms relating to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
geosynthetics, refer to Terminology D4439.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.1 adhesion, c ,n—the y-intercept of the Mohr-Coulomb
a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
strength envelope.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
GeosyntheticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD35.01onMechani- contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
cal Properties. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved June 1, 2021. Published June 2021. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as D5321/D5321M–20. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D5321_D5321M-21. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5321/D5321M − 21
3.2.2 atmosphere for testing geosynthetics, n—air main- thegeosyntheticandoneormorecontactsurfaces,suchassoi
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5321/D5321M − 20 D5321/D5321M − 21
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Shear Strength of Soil-Geosynthetic and
1
Geosynthetic-Geosynthetic Interfaces by Direct Shear
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5321/D5321M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the shear resistance of a geosynthetic against soil, or a geosynthetic
against another geosynthetic, under a constant rate of deformation.
1.1.1 The test method is intended to indicate the performance of the selected specimen by attempting to model certain field
conditions. Results obtained from this method may be limited in their applicability to the specific conditions considered in the
testing.
1.2 The test method is applicable for all geosynthetics, with the exception of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), which are addressed
in Test Method D6243/D6243M.
1.3 The test method is not suited for the development of exact stress-strain relationships for the test specimen due to the
nonuniform distribution of shearing forces and displacement.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
3 3
D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600 kN-m/m ))
3
D1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft (2,700
3
kN-m/m ))
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.01 on Mechanical Properties.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2020June 1, 2021. Published March 2020June 2021. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20192020 as
D5321/D5321M – 19.D5321/D5321M – 20. DOI: 10.1520/D5321_D5321M-20.10.1520/D5321_D5321M-21.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5321/D5321M − 21
D2435/D2435M Test Methods for One-Dimensional Consolidation Properties of Soils Using Incremental Loading
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
3
D3080/D3080M Test Method for Direct Shear Test of Soils Under Consolidated Drained Conditions (Withdrawn 2020)
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D6243/D6243M Test Method for Determining the Internal and Interface Shear Strength of Geosynthetic Clay Liner by the Direct
Shear Method
D7005/D7005M Test Method for Determining the Bond Strength (Ply Adhesion) of Geocomposites
D7466/D7466M Test Method for Measuring Asperity Height of Textured Geomembranes
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to soil and rock, refer to Terminology D653
...