ASTM D6638-06

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

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: 14-Nov-2006
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.01 - Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6638-01 - Standard Test Method for Determining Connection Strength Between Geosynthetic Reinforcement and Segmental Concrete Units (Modular Concrete Blocks)
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Replaced By: ASTM D6638-07 - Standard Test Method for Determining Connection Strength Between Geosynthetic Reinforcement and Segmental Concrete Units (Modular Concrete Blocks)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2007

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D6638–06
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 D 6638; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 4595 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Geotextiles
by the Wide-Width Strip Method
1.1 This test method is used to determine the connection
properties between a layer of geosynthetic reinforcement and
3. Terminology
segmental concrete block units used in construction of rein-
3.1 Definitions:
forced soil retaining walls. The test is carried out under
3.1.1 displacement criteria, n—a user prescribed maximum
conditions determined by the user that reproduce the connec-
movement, mm (in.), of the geosynthetic reinforcement out
tionsystematfull-scale.Theresultsofaseriesoftestsareused
from the back of segmental concrete units.
to define a relationship between connection strength for a
3.1.2 geosynthetic, n—a planar product manufactured from
segmental unit-geosynthetic connection system and normal
polymeric material used with soil, rock, earth, or other geo-
load.
technical engineering related material as an integral part of a
1.2 This is a performance test used to determine properties
man-made project, structure or system. (D 4439)
for design of retaining wall systems utilizing segmental con-
3.1.3 granular infill, n—coarse grained soil aggregate used
crete units and soil reinforcing geosynthetics, either geotextiles
to fill the voids in and between segmental concrete units.
or geogrids. The test is performed on a full-scale construction
3.1.4 peak connection strength, n—the maximum tensile
of the connection and may be run in a laboratory or the field.
capacity of the connection between geosynthetic reinforcement
1.3 The values stated in SI units are regarded as the
and segmental concrete units.
standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are provided
3.1.5 segmental concrete unit (modular concrete block),
for information only.
n—a concrete unit manufactured specifically for mortarless,
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-
dry-stack retaining wall construction.
tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
3.1.6 segmental concrete unit width, n—the segmental con-
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
crete unit dimension parallel to the wall face and coincident
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
with the geosynthetic reinforcement test specimen width.
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
3.1.7 service state connection strength, n— the connection
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tensile capacity at a service state displacement criterion be-
2. Referenced Documents tween geosynthetic reinforcement and segmental concrete
2
units.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2 For definition of other terms relating to geosynthetics,
D 448 Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and
refer to Terminology D 4439.
Bridge Construction
D 4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics for Testing
4. Summary of Test Method
D 4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
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
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
testspecimenisattachedtoaclamp,whichispartofaconstant
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.01 on Mechani-
rate of extension tensile loading machine. The top course of
cal Properties
segmental concrete block units is then loaded vertically to a
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D 6638–01.
constant normal load and the geosynthetic is then tensioned
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
under constant rate of displacement until a sustained loss of
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
connection capacity and/or excessive movement (greater than
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 150 mm) of the reinforcement out from the connection.
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D6638–06
4.1.1 Peak connection capacity, and tensile capa
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