ASTM D5970/D5970M-16

Standard Test Method for Deterioration of Geotextiles from Outdoor Exposure

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Outdoor exposure tests at one location may not be applicable to a project site at another location. This test method evaluates geotextiles under site specific atmospheric conditions over an 18-month period. A degradation curve as per 10.8, based on strength, elongation, or modulus, or all of these, may be developed for the geotextile being evaluated.  
5.2 This test method can be used for comparative testing of the degradation of geotextiles.  
5.3 This test method is considered to be a performance test and as such the responsibility for its performance rests with the specifying or purchasing agency.
Note 1: The intent of this procedure is to provide the user of this test method and geotextiles a standard by which to evaluate weathering degradation in terms of site specific conditions, not in terms of incident radiation and temperature. If desired, the user may want to have the necessary measurement and recording equipment at each site to do this. However, the expense of doing so at each site may be prohibitive. Therefore, this is not a specific requirement of this test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers evaluating the deterioration in tensile strength and strain after outdoor exposure.  
1.2 The deterioration is assessed as a reduction in strength and strain at failure from the unexposed geotextile.  
1.3 The specific location of the light and weather exposure is made on the basis of a site specific decision between the parties involved.  
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 non-conformance with the standard.  
1.5 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-Dec-2015
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.02 - Endurance 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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D5970/D5970M − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Deterioration of Geotextiles from Outdoor Exposure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5970/D5970M; 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 3.2 For definitions of terms related to weathering, refer to
Terminology G113.
1.1 This test method covers evaluating the deterioration in
tensile strength and strain after outdoor exposure. 3.3 Definitions:
3.3.1 ultraviolet degradation—the photochemical change
1.2 The deterioration is assessed as a reduction in strength
induced by exposure to ultraviolet radiation that results in
and strain at failure from the unexposed geotextile.
deterioration of the performance characteristics of the poly-
1.3 The specific location of the light and weather exposure
meric structure.
is made on the basis of a site specific decision between the
3.3.2 weathering degradation—the change induced by ex-
parties involved.
posure to outdoor conditions, that results in deterioration of the
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
performance characteristics of the polymeric structure.
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
4. Summary of Test Method
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
4.1 Geotextile coupons are attached to a test frame oriented
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
45° from the horizontal and facing the equator at designated
with the standard.
location for exposure times of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 18 months.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Exposure shall begin so as to ensure that material is exposed
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
during the maximum intensity of ultraviolet light of the year.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Unless otherwise specified, the test should be initiated in May
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
in the northern hemisphere, and in November in the southern
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
hemisphere.
4.1.1 Unexposed coupons, or ‘file specimens’ according to
2. Referenced Documents
Terminology G113, shall be retained for testing.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 After each exposure time the appropriate coupons are
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
brought into a laboratory for strength determination. The
D5035 Test Method for Breaking Force and Elongation of
results of these tests are compared to the strength determined
Textile Fabrics (Strip Method)
for the unexposed coupons. The user may be interested in
G7/G7M Practice for Atmospheric Environmental Exposure
exposure times other than specified in this test method. These
Testing of Nonmetallic Materials
times should be noted in reporting the results.
G113 Terminology Relating to Natural andArtificial Weath-
ering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials
4.3 The results are presented in the form of various plots.
3. Terminology 4.4 Additional recommendations may be found in Practice
G7/G7M and Terminology G113.
3.1 For definitions of terms related to geosynthetics, refer to
Terminology D4439.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Outdoor exposure tests at one location may not be
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
applicable to a project site at another location.This test method
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.02 on Endur-
ance Properties.
evaluatesgeotextilesundersitespecificatmosphericconditions
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016. Published January 2016. Originally
over an 18-month period. A degradation curve as per 10.8,
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D5970–09. DOI:
based on strength, elongation, or modulus, or all of these, may
10.1520/D5970_D5970M-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or be developed for the geotextile being evaluated.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.2 This test method can be used for comparative testing of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the degradation of geotextiles.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D5970/D5970M − 16
5.3 This test method is considered to be a performance test 8.2 Cut six test coupons from each direction to be used as
and as such the responsibility for
...

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: D5970 − 09 D5970/D5970M − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Deterioration of Geotextiles from Outdoor Exposure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5970;D5970/D5970M; 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 covers evaluating the deterioration in tensile strength and strain after outdoor exposure.
1.2 The deterioration is assessed as a reduction in strength and strain at failure from the unexposed geotextile.
1.3 The specific location of the light and weather exposure is made on the basis of a site specific decision between the parties
involved.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The inch-pound units
given in parentheses are for information only.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 non-conformance with the standard.
1.5 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:
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D5035 Test Method for Breaking Force and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Strip Method)
G7/G7M Practice for Atmospheric Environmental Exposure Testing of Nonmetallic Materials
G113 Terminology Relating to Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms related to geosynthetics, refer to Terminology D4439.
3.2 For definitions of terms related to weathering, refer to Terminology G113.
3.3 Definitions:
3.3.1 ultraviolet degradation—the photochemical change induced by exposure to ultraviolet radiation that results in
deterioration of the performance characteristics of the polymeric structure.
3.3.2 weathering degradation—the change induced by exposure to outdoor conditions, that results in deterioration of the
performance characteristics of the polymeric structure.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Geotextile coupons are attached to a test frame oriented 45° from the horizontal and facing the equator at designated location
for exposure times of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 18 months. Exposure shall begin so as to ensure that material is exposed during the
maximum intensity of ultraviolet light of the year. Unless otherwise specified, the test should be initiated in May in the northern
hemisphere, and in November in the southern hemisphere.
4.1.1 Unexposed control coupons coupons, or ‘file specimens’ according to Terminology G113, shall be retained for testing.
4.2 After each exposure time the appropriate coupons are brought into a laboratory for strength determination. The results of
these tests are compared to the strength determined for the unexposed coupons. The user may be interested in exposure times other
than specified in this test method. These times should be noted in reporting the results.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.02 on Endurance Properties.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009Jan. 1, 2016. Published June 2009January 2016. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20022009 as
D5970–96(2002).D5970–09. DOI: 10.1520/D5970-09.10.1520/D5970_D5970M-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM 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 ----------------------
D5970/D5970M − 16
4.3 The results are presented in the form of various plots.
4.4 Additional recommendations may be found in Practice G7/G7M and Terminology G113.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Outdoor exposure tests at one location may not be applicable to a project site at another location. This test method evaluates
geotextiles under site specific atmosphe
...