ASTM D4533-11

Standard Test Method for Trapezoid Tearing Strength of Geotextiles

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The trapezoid tear method is a test that produces tension along a reasonably defined course such that the tear propagates across the width of the specimen. The trapezoid tearing strength for woven fabrics is determined primarily by the properties of the yarns that are gripped in the clamps. In nonwoven fabrics, because the individual fibers are more or less randomly oriented and capable of some reorientation in the direction of the applied load, the maximum trapezoid tearing strength is reached when the resistance to further reorientation is greater than the force required to rupture one or more fibers simultaneously.
The trapezoid tearing strength method is useful for estimating the relative tear resistance of different fabrics or different directions in the same fabric.
This test method may be used for acceptance testing of commercial shipments; however, caution is advised since information about between-laboratory precision is incomplete. Comparative tests as directed in 5.3.1 may be advisable.
In case of a dispute arising from differences in reported test results when using this test method for acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the supplier should conduct comparative tests to determine if there is a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias. As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test specimens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are from a lot of material of the type in question. Test specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers to each laboratory for testing. The average results from the two laboratories should be compared using the appropriate Student's t-test and an acceptable probability level chosen by the two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected or the purchaser and the supplier must agree to interpret future test results in the light of the kno...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is an index test used to measure the force required to continue or propagate a tear in woven or non-woven geotextiles by the trapezoid method. While useful for quality control and acceptance testing, the trapezoid tear test does not provide all the information needed for all design applications and other test methods should be used.
1.2 This test method is applicable to most geotextiles that include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, layered fabrics, knit fabrics, and felts that are used for geotextile applications.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.01 - Mechanical Properties

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: D4533 − 11
StandardTest Method for
1
Trapezoid Tearing Strength of Geotextiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4533; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
1.1 This test method is an index test used to measure the
3.1.1 atmosphere for testing geotextiles, n—air maintained
force required to continue or propagate a tear in woven or
at a relative humidity of 65 6 5 % and a temperature of 21 6
non-woven geotextiles by the trapezoid method. While useful
2°C (70 6 4°F).
for quality control and acceptance testing, the trapezoid tear
test does not provide all the information needed for all design
3.1.2 geotextile, n—any permeable textile material used
applications and other test methods should be used.
with foundation, soil, rock, earth, or any other geotechnical
engineering related material as an integral part of a man-made
1.2 This test method is applicable to most geotextiles that
product, structure, or system.
include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, layered fabrics, knit
fabrics, and felts that are used for geotextile applications. 3.1.3 tearing strength, n—the force required to either (1)
start, or (2) continue or propagate a tear in a fabric under
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
specified conditions.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.3.1 Discussion—This test method uses the maximum
standard.
value of the tearing force as the tearing strength.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.4 For definitions of other terms used in this test method,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
refer to Terminology D123 or Terminology D4439.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 An outline of an isosceles trapezoid is marked on a
2. Referenced Documents
rectangular specimen cut for the determination of tearing
2 strength (see Fig. 1), and the nonparallel sides of the trapezoid
2.1 ASTM Standards:
marked on the specimen are clamped in parallel jaws of a
D76 Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Textiles
tensile testing machine. The separation of the jaws is continu-
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
ously increased so the tear propagates across the specimen. At
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
the same time, the force developed is recorded. The tearing
D2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens for
strength, which is the maximum value of the tearing force, is
3
Textiles (Withdrawn 2008)
obtainedfromtheautographicforce–extensioncurve(seeFig.
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
2).
Erosion Control Products(RECPs) for Testing
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The trapezoid tear method is a test that produces tension
along a reasonably defined course such that the tear propagates
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
across the width of the specimen. The trapezoid tearing
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.01 on Mechani-
cal Properties.
strength for woven fabrics is determined primarily by the
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2011.PublishedJuly2011.Originallyapproved
properties of the yarns that are gripped in the clamps. In
in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D4533 – 04(2009). DOI:
nonwoven fabrics, because the individual fibers are more or
10.1520/D4533-11.
2
lessrandomlyorientedandcapableofsomereorientationinthe
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
direction of the applied load, the maximum trapezoid tearing
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
strength is reached when the resistance to further reorientation
the ASTM website.
3
is greater than the force required to rupture one or more fibers
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. simultaneously.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4533 − 11
specimens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are
from a lot of material of the type in question. Test
...

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:D4533–04 (Reapproved 2009) Designation:D4533–11
Standard Test Method for
1
Trapezoid Tearing Strength of Geotextiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4533; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method is an index test used to measure the force required to continue or propagate a tear in woven or non-woven
geotextilesbythetrapezoidmethod.Whileusefulforqualitycontrolandacceptancetesting,thetrapezoidteartestdoesnotprovide
all the information needed for all design applications and other test methods should be used.
1.2 Thistestmethodisapplicabletomostgeotextilesthatincludewovenfabrics,nonwovenfabrics,layeredfabrics,knitfabrics,
and felts that are used for geotextile applications.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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:
D76 Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Textiles
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
D2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens for Textiles
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics for Testing
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 atmosphere for testing geotextiles, n—air maintained at a relative humidity of 65 6 5 % and a temperature of 21 6 2°C
(70 6 4°F).
3.1.2 geotextile, n—anypermeabletextilematerialusedwithfoundation,soil,rock,earth,oranyothergeotechnicalengineering
related material as an integral part of a man-made product, structure, or system.
3.1.3 tearing strength, n—the force required to either (1) start, or (2) continue or propagate a tear in a fabric under specified
conditions.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—This test method uses the maximum value of the tearing force as the tearing strength.
3.1.4 For definitions of other terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D123 or Terminology D4439.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 An outline of an isosceles trapezoid is marked on a rectangular specimen cut for the determination of tearing strength (see
Fig. 1), and the nonparallel sides of the trapezoid marked on the specimen are clamped in parallel jaws of a tensile testing machine.
The separation of the jaws is continuously increased so the tear propagates across the specimen. At the same time, the force
developed is recorded. The tearing strength, which is the maximum value of the tearing force, is obtained from the autographic
force – extension curve (see Fig. 2).
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, 2009.2011. Published July 2009.2011. Originally approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 20042000 as D4533 – 04(2009).
DOI: 10.1520/D4533-04R09.10.1520/D4533-11.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail]ards
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 ----------------------
D4533–11
FIG. 1 Trapezoidal Template for Trapezoid Tearing Strength Test
FIG. 2 Typical Tearing Force – Extension Curves for Individual
Test Specimens
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The trapezoid tear method is a test that produces tension along a reasonably defined course such that the tear propagates
across the width of the specimen. The trapezoid tearing strength for woven fabrics is determined primarily by the properties of the
yarns that are gripped in the clamps. In nonwoven fabrics, because the individual fibers are more or less randomly oriented and
capable of some reorientation in the direction of the applied load, th
...