ASTM D6461/D6461M-22

Standard Specifications for Silt Fence Materials

ABSTRACT
This specification covers requirements and test methods for geotextile fabrics and associated components used in temporary silt fence applications. It is applicable to the use of a geotextile as a vertical permeable interceptor designed to remove suspended soil from overland, nonconcentrated water flow. The function of a temporary silt fence is to trap and allow settlement of soil particles from sediment laden water. The purpose is to greatly limit the transport of eroded soil from the construction site by water runoff. Fibers used in the manufacture of geotextiles for silt fence, and the threads used in joining geotextiles by sewing, shall consist of long-chain synthetic polymers composed of at least 95 % by weight of polyolefins or polyester. They shall be formed into a stable network such that the filaments or yarns retain their dimensional stability relative to each other, including selvages. Geotextiles and related materials used for temporary silt fence shall conform with required grab strength, permittivity, apparent opening size, and ultraviolet stability. The prescribed support posts are described in the specification.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers requirements and test methods for geotextile fabrics and associated components used in temporary silt fence applications. Table 1 is a material purchasing specification based on AASHTO M 288. Table 2 is a specification to be used in areas of high water flow. The specification in Table 2 is a higher strength, higher flow option than Table 1. Table 2 properties can withstand more hydraulic flow than the specification listed in Table 1. The Table 2 specification should be used in sensitive applications, such as areas near regulated waters and wetlands, but also areas that are prone to high flow runoff that require increased structural stability. The design professional has the option of Table 2 where the specifications listed in Table 1 are not sufficient to meet the demand of runoff.  
1.2 Both specifications are applicable to the use of a geotextile as a vertical permeable interceptor designed to remove suspended soil from overland, nonconcentrated water flow. The function of a temporary silt fence is to trap and allow settlement of soil particles from sediment-laden water. The purpose is to greatly limit the transport of eroded soil from construction sites and other areas affected by water runoff.
Note 1: It should be noted that proper installation and maintenance are critical for the effective functioning of silt fence.  
1.3 The tests used to characterize the silt fence are intended to ensure good workmanship and quality and are not necessarily adequate for design purposes in view of the wide variety of possible sediments and performance objectives.  
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.  
Note 2: Although the Table 1 specification should be acceptable in most erosion control applications, it should be noted that an alternative silt fence specification for a higher water flow rate, listed in Table 2, may be required by the engineers in areas that are susceptible to higher water runoff; using Table 2 specification will minimize safety hazards such as hydroplaning in these areas.  
1.5 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-Dec-2021
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.06 - Geosynthetic Specifications

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D4354-12(2020) - Standard Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4751-20 - Standard Test Methods for Determining Apparent Opening Size of a Geotextile
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-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:D6461/D6461M −22
Standard Specifications for
1
Silt Fence Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6461/D6461M; 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.
NOTE 2—Although the Table 1 specification should be acceptable in
1. Scope*
mosterosioncontrolapplications,itshouldbenotedthatanalternativesilt
1.1 This specification covers requirements and test methods
fence specification for a higher water flow rate, listed in Table 2, may be
for geotextile fabrics and associated components used in required by the engineers in areas that are susceptible to higher water
runoff; using Table 2 specification will minimize safety hazards such as
temporary silt fence applications. Table 1 is a material pur-
hydroplaning in these areas.
chasing specification based on AASHTO M 288. Table 2 is a
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
specification to be used in areas of high water flow. The
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
specification in Table 2 is a higher strength, higher flow option
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
than Table 1. Table 2 properties can withstand more hydraulic
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
flow than the specification listed in Table 1. The Table 2
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
specification should be used in sensitive applications, such as
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
areas near regulated waters and wetlands, but also areas that
are prone to high flow runoff that require increased structural
2. Referenced Documents
stability. The design professional has the option of Table 2
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
where the specifications listed in Table 1 are not sufficient to
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
meet the demand of runoff.
Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
1.2 Both specifications are applicable to the use of a
D4355/D4355M Test Method for Deterioration of Geotex-
geotextile as a vertical permeable interceptor designed to
tiles by Exposure to Light, Moisture, and Heat in a Xenon
remove suspended soil from overland, nonconcentrated water
Arc-Type Apparatus
flow.The function of a temporary silt fence is to trap and allow
D4491/D4491M Test Methods for Water Permeability of
settlement of soil particles from sediment-laden water. The
Geotextiles by Permittivity
purpose is to greatly limit the transport of eroded soil from
D4533/D4533M Test Method for Trapezoid Tearing
construction sites and other areas affected by water runoff.
Strength of Geotextiles
NOTE1—Itshouldbenotedthatproperinstallationandmaintenanceare
D4632/D4632M Test Method for Grab Breaking Load and
critical for the effective functioning of silt fence.
Elongation of Geotextiles
1.3 The tests used to characterize the silt fence are intended
D4751 Test Methods for Determining Apparent Opening
to ensure good workmanship and quality and are not necessar- Size of a Geotextile
ily adequate for design purposes in view of the wide variety of
D4759 Practice for Determining the Specification Confor-
possible sediments and performance objectives. mance of Geosynthetics
D4873/D4873M Guide for Identification, Storage, and Han-
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
dling of Geosynthetic Rolls and Samples
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
D6241 Test Method for Static Puncture Strength of Geotex-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
tiles and Geotextile-Related Products Using a 50-mm
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
Probe
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance
D6637/D6637M Test Method for Determining Tensile Prop-
with the standard.
erties of Geogrids by the Single or Multi-Rib Tensile
Method
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.06 on Geosyn-
2
thetic Specifications. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2022. Published January 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D6461/D6461M – 18. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D6461_D6461M-22. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes s
...

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: D6461/D6461M − 18 D6461/D6461M − 22
Standard Specifications for
1
Silt Fence Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6461/D6461M; 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 covers requirements and test methods for geotextile fabrics and associated components used in temporary
silt fence applications. Table 1 is a material purchasing specification based on AASHTO M288. M 288. Table 2 is a specification
to be used in areas of high water flow. The specification onin Table 2 is a higher strength, higher flow option than Table 1. Table
2 properties can withstand more hydraulic flow than the specification listed onin Table 1. The Table 2 specification should be used
in sensitive applications, such as areas near regulated waters and wetlands, but also areas that are prone to high flow runoff that
require increased structural stability. The design professional has the option of Table 2 where the specifications listed in Table 1
are not sufficient to meet the demand of runoff.
1.2 Both specifications are applicable to the use of a geotextile as a vertical permeable interceptor designed to remove suspended
soil from overland, nonconcentrated water flow. The function of a temporary silt fence is to trap and allow settlement of soil
particles from sediment laden sediment-laden water. The purpose is to greatly limit the transport of eroded soil from construction
sites and other areas affected by water runoff.
NOTE 1—It should be noted that proper installation and maintenance are critical for the effective functioning of silt fence.
1.3 The tests used to characterize the silt fence are intended to ensure good workmanship and quality and are not necessarily
adequate for design purposes in view of the wide variety of possible sediments and performance objectives.
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, thereforeequivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformancenonconformance with the standard.
NOTE 2—Although the Table 1 specification should be acceptable in most erosion control applications, it should be noted that an alternative silt fence
specification for a higher water flow rate, listed in Table 2, may be required by the engineers in areas that are susceptible to higher water runoff; using
Table 2 specification will minimize safety hazards such as hydroplaning in these areas.
1.5 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.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.06 on Geosynthetic
Specifications.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018Jan. 1, 2022. Published February 2018January 2022. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20162018 as
D6461D6461/D6461M – 16a.18. DOI: 10.1520/D6461_D6461M-18.10.1520/D6461_D6461M-22.
*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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D6461/D6461M − 22
TABLE 1 Temporary Silt Fence Material Property Requirements
A A
Supported Unsupported
Test Methods Type of Value
Silt Fence Silt Fence
Grab Strength ASTM D4632/D4632M
Machine Direction 400N 550N MARV
Machine direction (MD) 400 N [90 lb] 550 N [124 lb] MARV
[90 lb] [124 lb]
Cross-machine direction (XD) 400 N [90 lb] 450 N [101 lb] MARV
X-Machine Direction 400N 450N MARV
[90 lb] [101 lb]
Permittivity ASTM D4491/D4491M 0.05 sec-1 0.05 sec-1 MARV
Apparent Opening Size ASTM D4751 0.60mm 0.60mm Max. ARV
Apparent Opening Size ASTM D4751 0.60 mm 0.60 mm Max. ARV
(30) U.S. sieve (30) U.S. sieve
(30) US Sieve (30) US Sieve
Ultraviolet Stability ASTM D4355/D4355M 70 % after 70 % after Typical
500 h of 500 h of
exposure ex
...