ASTM D6638-11

Standard Test Method for Determining Connection Strength Between Geosynthetic Reinforcement and Segmental Concrete Units (Modular Concrete Blocks)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The connection strength between geosynthetic reinforcement and segmental concrete block units is used in design of reinforced soil retaining walls.
This test is used to determine the connection strength for the design of the connection system formed by segmental concrete block units and geosynthetic reinforcement layers in reinforced soil retaining walls. Performing a series of these connection tests at varying normal loads permits development of a relationship between connection strength and normal load. This relationship may be linear, bi-linear, or some other complex mathematical expression.
This connection strength test is meant to be a performance test (laboratory or field), therefore, it should be conducted using full-scale system components. The conditions for the test are selected by the user and are not for routine testing.
As a performance test on full-scale system components it accounts for some of the variables in construction procedures and materials tolerance normally present for these types of retaining wall systems.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to determine the connection properties between a layer of geosynthetic reinforcement and segmental concrete block units used in construction of reinforced soil retaining walls. The test is carried out under conditions determined by the user that reproduce the connection system at full-scale. The results of a series of tests are used to define a relationship between connection strength for a segmental unit-geosynthetic connection system and normal load.
1.2 This is a performance test used to determine properties for design of retaining wall systems utilizing segmental concrete units and soil reinforcing geosynthetics, either geotextiles or geogrids. The test is performed on a full-scale construction of the connection and may be run in a laboratory or the field.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are regarded as the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are provided for information only.
This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. 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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2011
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.01 - Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6638-07 - Standard Test Method for Determining Connection Strength Between Geosynthetic Reinforcement and Segmental Concrete Units (Modular Concrete Blocks)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM D6638-18 - Standard Test Method for Determining Connection Strength Between Geosynthetic Reinforcement and Segmental Concrete Units (Modular Concrete Blocks)
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2018

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6638 − 11
Standard Test Method for
Determining Connection Strength Between Geosynthetic
Reinforcement and Segmental Concrete Units (Modular
1
Concrete Blocks)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6638; 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 Erosion Control Products(RECPs) for Testing
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
1.1 This test method is used to determine the connection
D4495 Test Method for Impact Resistance of Poly(Vinyl
properties between a layer of geosynthetic reinforcement and
Chloride) (PVC) Rigid Profiles by Means of a Falling
segmental concrete block units used in construction of rein-
Weight
forced soil retaining walls. The test is carried out under
D6637 Test Method for Determining Tensile Properties of
conditions determined by the user that reproduce the connec-
Geogrids by the Single or Multi-Rib Tensile Method
tionsystematfull-scale.Theresultsofaseriesoftestsareused
to define a relationship between connection strength for a
3. Terminology
segmental unit-geosynthetic connection system and normal
load. 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 displacement criteria, n—a user prescribed maximum
1.2 This is a performance test used to determine properties
movement, mm (in.), of the geosynthetic reinforcement out
for design of retaining wall systems utilizing segmental con-
from the back of segmental concrete units.
crete units and soil reinforcing geosynthetics, either geotextiles
3.1.2 geosynthetic, n—a planar product manufactured from
or geogrids. The test is performed on a full-scale construction
polymeric material used with soil, rock, earth, or other geo-
of the connection and may be run in a laboratory or the field.
technical engineering related material as an integral part of a
1.3 The values stated in SI units are regarded as the
man-made project, structure or system. (D4439)
standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are provided
3.1.3 granular infill, n—coarse grained soil aggregate used
for information only.
to fill the voids in and between segmental concrete units.
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials,
3.1.4 peak connection strength, n—the maximum tensile
operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
capacity of the connection between geosynthetic reinforcement
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
and segmental concrete units.
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
3.1.5 segmental concrete unit (modular concrete block),
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. n—a concrete unit manufactured specifically for mortarless,
dry-stack retaining wall construction.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.6 segmental concrete unit width, n—the segmental con-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
crete unit dimension parallel to the wall face and coincident
D448 Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and with the geosynthetic reinforcement test specimen width.
Bridge Construction
3.1.7 service state connection strength, n— the connection
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
tensile capacity at a service state displacement criterion be-
tween geosynthetic reinforcement and segmental concrete
units.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.01 on Mechani- 3.2 For definition of other terms relating to geosynthetics,
cal Properties
refer to Terminology D4439.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2011.PublishedJuly2011.Originallyapproved
in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D6638 – 07. DOI: 10.1520/
4. Summary of Test Method
D6638-11.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.1 One end of a wide geosynthetic reinforcement test
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
specimen is attached to dry stacked segmental concrete block
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. units assembled as specified by the user. The other end of the
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6638 − 11
testspecimenisattachedtoaclamp,whichispartofaconstant
rate of extension tensile loading machine. The top course of
segmental concrete block units is then loaded vertically to a
constant normal load and the geosynthetic is then tensioned
under constant rate of displacement until a
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D6638–07 Designation:D6638–11
Standard Test Method for
Determining Connection Strength Between Geosynthetic
Reinforcement and Segmental Concrete Units (Modular
1
Concrete Blocks)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6638; 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 is used to determine the connection properties between a layer of geosynthetic reinforcement and
segmental concrete block units used in construction of reinforced soil retaining walls. The test is carried out under conditions
determined by the user that reproduce the connection system at full-scale. The results of a series of tests are used to define a
relationship between connection strength for a segmental unit-geosynthetic connection system and normal load.
1.2 This is a performance test used to determine properties for design of retaining wall systems utilizing segmental concrete
units and soil reinforcing geosynthetics, either geotextiles or geogrids. The test is performed on a full-scale construction of the
connection and may be run in a laboratory or the field.
1.3 ThevaluesstatedinSIunitsareregardedasthestandard.Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsareprovidedforinformation
only.
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. 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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D448 Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics for Testing
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D4495 Test Method for Impact Resistance of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Rigid Profiles by Means of a Falling Weight
D6637 Test Method for Determining Tensile Properties of Geogrids by the Single or Multi-Rib Tensile Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 displacement criteria, n—a user prescribed maximum movement, mm (in.), of the geosynthetic reinforcement out from
the back of segmental concrete units.
3.1.2 geosynthetic, n—a planar product manufactured from polymeric material used with soil, rock, earth, or other geotechnical
engineering related material as an integral part of a man-made project, structure or system. (D4439)
3.1.3 granular infill, n—coarse grained soil aggregate used to fill the voids in and between segmental concrete units.
3.1.4 peak connection strength, n—the maximum tensile capacity of the connection between geosynthetic reinforcement and
segmental concrete units.
3.1.5 segmental concrete unit (modular concrete block), n—a concrete unit manufactured specifically for mortarless, dry-stack
retaining wall construction.
3.1.6 segmental concrete unit width, n—the segmental concrete unit dimension parallel to the wall face and coincident with the
geosynthetic reinforcement test specimen width.
3.1.7 service state connection strength, n— the connection tensile capacity at a service state displacement criterion between
geosynthetic reinforcement and segmental concrete units.
3.2 For definition of other terms relating to geosynthetics, refer to Terminology D4439.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.01 on Mechanical Properties
Current edition approved June 1, 2007.2011. Published July 2007.2011. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20062007 as D6638 – 067. DOI:
10.1520/D6638-07.10.1520/D6638-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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 ----------------------
D6638–11
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 One end of a wide geosynthetic reinforcement test specimen is attached to dry stacked segmental concrete block units
assembled as specified by the user. The other end of the test specimen is
...