ASTM D7258-23

Standard Specification for Polymeric Piles

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the physical and performance requirements for round and rectangular cross-section polymeric piles in axial and lateral load-bearing applications including, by not limited to, marine, waterfront, and corrosive environments. It does not apply to individual polymeric pile products, sheet piles, and other mechanically connected polymeric pile products using inter-locking systems. Covered here are six types of polymeric piles that are fabricated from materials that may be virgin, recycled, or both, as long as the finished product meets all of the criteria specified herein. These types are: Type I, polymeric only; Type II, polymeric with reinforcement in the form of chopped, milled or continuous fiber or mineral; Type III, polymeric with reinforcement in the form of metallic bars, cages, or shapes; Type IV, polymeric with reinforcement in the form of non-metallic bars or cages; Type V, polymeric composite tube with a concrete core; and Type VI, any other polymeric piling meeting the requirements stated herein and not otherwise described by Types I through V. The polymeric tiles shall adhere to specified physical attributes such as size, cross-sectional shape, length, straightness, placement of reinforcement, and surface conditions. The performance requirements which pile specimens shall conform to include creep rupture, serviceability, flexural properties, shear strength, bearing strength, design flexural stiffness, energy absorption, compressive strength, combined stresses, dimensional stability (thermal expansion), hygrothermal cycling, and flame spread index.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification addresses the use of round and rectangular cross-section polymeric piles in axial and lateral load-bearing applications, including but not limited to marine, waterfront, and corrosive environments.  
1.2 This specification is only applicable to individual polymeric pile products. Sheet pile and other mechanically connected polymeric pile products using inter-locking systems, are not part of this specification.  
1.3 The piling products considered herein are characterized by the use of polymers, whereby (1) the pile strength or stiffness requires the inclusion of the polymer, or (2) a minimum of fifty percent (50 %) of the weight or volume is derived from the polymer. The type classifications of polymeric piles described in Section 4 show how they can be reinforced by composite design for increased stiffness or strength.  
1.4 This specification covers polymeric piles fabricated from materials that are virgin, recycled, or both, as long as the finished product meets all of the criteria specified herein. Diverse types and combinations of inorganic filler systems are permitted in the manufacturing of polymeric piling products. Inorganic fillers include such materials as talc, mica, silica, wollastonite, calcium carbonate, etc. Pilings are often placed in service where they will be subjected to continuous damp or wet exposure conditions. Due to concerns of water sensitivity and possible affects on mechanical properties in such service conditions, organic fillers, including lignocellulosic materials such as those made or derived from wood, wood flour, flax shive, rice hulls, wheat straw, and combinations thereof, are not permitted in the manufacturing of polymeric piling products.  
1.5 The values are stated in inch-pound units as these are currently the most common units used by the construction industry.  
1.6 Polymeric piles under this specification are designed using design stresses determined in accordance with Test Methods D6108, D6109, and D6112 and procedures contained within this specification unless otherwise specified.  
1.7 Although in some instances it will be an important component of the pile design, frictional properties are currently beyond the scope of this document.  
1.8 Criteria for design are included as part of this specification for polymeric piles. Certain Types and...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2023
• ICS: 83.140.99 - Other rubber and plastics products
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.20 - Plastic Lumber

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: D7258 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Polymeric Piles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7258; 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* Methods D6108, D6109, and D6112 and procedures contained
within this specification unless otherwise specified.
1.1 This specification addresses the use of round and rect-
angular cross-section polymeric piles in axial and lateral 1.7 Although in some instances it will be an important
load-bearing applications, including but not limited to marine, component of the pile design, frictional properties are currently
waterfront, and corrosive environments. beyond the scope of this document.
1.2 This specification is only applicable to individual poly- 1.8 Criteria for design are included as part of this specifi-
meric pile products. Sheet pile and other mechanically con- cation for polymeric piles. Certain Types and sizes of poly-
nected polymeric pile products using inter-locking systems, are meric piles will be better suited for some applications than
not part of this specification. others. Polymeric piles designed and manufactured under the
different Type classifications as defined within this specifica-
1.3 The piling products considered herein are characterized
tion will, as a whole, exhibit a wide-range of mechanical
by the use of polymers, whereby (1) the pile strength or
properties. For example, a 10-in. diameter Type II, chopped
stiffness requires the inclusion of the polymer, or (2) a
glass fiber reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pile
minimum of fifty percent (50 %) of the weight or volume is
will likely have an apparent stiffness much different than a
derived from the polymer. The type classifications of poly-
10-in. diameter Type V, glass fiber reinforced composite tube
meric piles described in Section 4 show how they can be
filled with concrete. Similarly, the ultimate moment capacity of
reinforced by composite design for increased stiffness or
these two example piles will also likely be significantly
strength.
different from each other. Use of a licensed Professional
1.4 This specification covers polymeric piles fabricated
Engineer is, therefore, highly recommended for designing and
from materials that are virgin, recycled, or both, as long as the
selecting polymeric piles in accordance with this specification.
finished product meets all of the criteria specified herein.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Diverse types and combinations of inorganic filler systems are
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
permitted in the manufacturing of polymeric piling products.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Inorganic fillers include such materials as talc, mica, silica,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
wollastonite, calcium carbonate, etc. Pilings are often placed in
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
service where they will be subjected to continuous damp or wet
exposure conditions. Due to concerns of water sensitivity and NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this specification.
possible affects on mechanical properties in such service
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
conditions, organic fillers, including lignocellulosic materials
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
such as those made or derived from wood, wood flour, flax
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
shive, rice hulls, wheat straw, and combinations thereof, are not
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
permitted in the manufacturing of polymeric piling products.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.5 The values are stated in inch-pound units as these are
currently the most common units used by the construction
2. Referenced Documents
industry.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.6 Polymeric piles under this specification are designed
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
using design stresses determined in accordance with Test
D1141 Practice for Preparation of Substitute Ocean Water
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
2
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.20 on Plastic Lumber. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023. Pub
...

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: D7258 − 17 D7258 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Polymeric Piles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7258; 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 specification addresses the use of round and rectangular cross-section polymeric piles in axial and lateral load-bearing
applications, including but not limited to marine, waterfront, and corrosive environments.
1.2 This specification is only applicable to individual polymeric pile products. Sheet pile and other mechanically connected
polymeric pile products using inter-locking systems, are not part of this specification.
1.3 The piling products considered herein are characterized by the use of polymers, whereby (1) the pile strength or stiffness
requires the inclusion of the polymer, or (2) a minimum of fifty percent (50 %) of the weight or volume is derived from the
polymer. The type classifications of polymeric piles described in Section 4 show how they can be reinforced by composite design
for increased stiffness or strength.
1.4 This specification covers polymeric piles fabricated from materials that are virgin, recycled, or both, as long as the finished
product meets all of the criteria specified herein. Diverse types and combinations of inorganic filler systems are permitted in the
manufacturing of polymeric piling products. Inorganic fillers include such materials as talc, mica, silica, wollastonite, calcium
carbonate, etc. Pilings are often placed in service where they will be subjected to continuous damp or wet exposure conditions.
Due to concerns of water sensitivity and possible affects on mechanical properties in such service conditions, organic fillers,
including lignocellulosic materials such as those made or derived from wood, wood flour, flax shive, rice hulls, wheat straw, and
combinations thereof, are not permitted in the manufacturing of polymeric piling products.
1.5 The values are stated in inch-pound units as these are currently the most common units used by the construction industry.
1.6 Polymeric piles under this specification are designed using design stresses determined in accordance with Test Methods
D6108, D6109, and D6112 and procedures contained within this specification unless otherwise specified.
1.7 Although in some instances it will be an important component of the pile design, frictional properties are currently beyond
the scope of this document.
1.8 Criteria for design are included as part of this specification for polymeric piles. Certain Types and sizes of polymeric piles will
be better suited for some applications than others. Polymeric piles designed and manufactured under the different Type
classifications as defined within this specification will, as a whole, exhibit a wide-range of mechanical properties. For example,
a 10-in. diameter Type II, chopped glass fiber reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pile will likely have an apparent
stiffness much different than a 10-in. diameter Type V, glass fiber reinforced composite tube filled with concrete. Similarly, the
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.20 on Plastic Lumber.
Current edition approved March 1, 2017Feb. 1, 2023. Published March 2017February 2023. Originally approved in 2009. Last previous edition approved in 20142017
as D7258 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/D7258-17.17. DOI: 10.1520/D7258-23.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7258 − 23
ultimate moment capacity of these two example piles will also likely be significantly different from each other. Use of a licensed
Professional Engineer is, therefore, highly recommended for designing and selecting polymeric piles in accordance with this
specification.
1.9 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 and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent t
...