ASTM D4885-01

Standard Test Method for Determining Performance Strength of Geomembranes by the Wide Strip Tensile Method

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the performance strength of synthetic geomembranes by subjecting wide strips of material to tensile loading.
1.2 This test method covers the measurement of tensile strength and elongation of geomembranes and includes directions for calculating initial modulus, offset modulus, secant modulus, and breaking toughness.
1.3 The basic distinctions between this test method and other methods measuring tensile strength of geomembranes are the width of the specimens tested and the speed of applied force. The greater width of the specimens specified in this test method minimizes the contraction edge effect (necking) which occurs in many geosynthetics and provides a closer relationship to actual material behavior in service. The slower speed of applied strain also provides a closer relationship to actual material behavior in service.
1.4 As a performance test, this method will be used relatively infrequently, and to test large lots of material. This test method is not intended for routine quality control testing of geomembranes.
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.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound values stated in parentheses are provided for information only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-2001
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.10 - Geomembranes

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4885-88(1995) - Standard Test Method for Determining Performance Strength of Geomembranes by the Wide Strip Tensile Method
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2001
• Replaced By: ASTM D4885-01(2006) - Standard Test Method for Determining Performance Strength of Geomembranes by the Wide Strip Tensile Method
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D6455-11(2018) - Standard Guide for the Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembranes (PBGMs)
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D6693/D6693M-20 - Standard Test Method for Determining Tensile Properties of Nonreinforced Polyethylene and Nonreinforced Flexible Polypropylene Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D8364/D8364M-21 - Standard Specification for Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mat (GCCM) Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D4439-23b - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2001

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:D4885–01
Standard Test Method for
Determining Performance Strength of Geomembranes by
1
the Wide Strip Tensile Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4885; 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 882 Test Methods for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
4
Sheeting
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the perfor-
D 1593 Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Plastic
mance strength of synthetic geomembranes by subjecting wide
4
Film and Sheeting
strips of material to tensile loading.
D 1909 Table of Commercial Moisture Regains for Textile
1.2 This test method covers the measurement of tensile
2
Fibers
strength and elongation of geomembranes and includes direc-
5
D 4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics for Testing
tions for calculating initial modulus, offset modulus, secant
5
D 4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
modulus, and breaking toughness.
1.3 The basic distinctions between this test method and
3. Terminology
othermethodsmeasuringtensilestrengthofgeomembranesare
3.1 Definitions:
the width of the specimens tested and the speed of applied
3.1.1 atmosphere for testing geomembranes, n—air main-
force. The greater width of the specimens specified in this test
tained at a relative humidity of 50 to 70 % and a temperature
method minimizes the contraction edge effect (necking) which
of 21 6 2°C (70 6 4°F).
occurs in many geosynthetics and provides a closer relation-
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Within the range of 50 to 70 % relative
ship to actual material behavior in service.The slower speed of
humidity, moisture content is not expected to affect the tensile
applied strain also provides a closer relationship to actual
properties of geomembrane materials. In addition, geotextile
material behavior in service.
standard test methods restrict the range of relative humidity to
1.4 As a performance test, this method will be used rela-
65 6 5 %, while geomembrane standard test methods restrict
tively infrequently, and to test large lots of material. This test
the range of relative humidity to 55 6 5 %. The restricted
method is not intended for routine quality control testing of
rangeinthistestmethodismadebroadertoreducetheneedfor
geomembranes.
testing laboratories to change laboratory conditions, and con-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sidering the lack of expected effect of moisture on geomem-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
branes. The user should consult Table D1909 to resolve
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
questions regarding moisture regains of textile fibers, espe-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
cially if the user is testing a new or unknown material.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.2 breaking force, (F), J, n—the force at failure.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
−1 −2
3.1.3 breaking toughness, T, (FL ), Jm , n—for geosyn-
standard. The inch-pound values stated in parentheses are
thetics, the actual work per unit volume of a material corre-
provided for information only.
sponding to the breaking force.
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.3.1 Discussion—Breaking toughness is proportional to
the area under the force-elongation curve from the origin to the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
breakingpoint(seealso,work-to-break).Breakingtoughnessis
D 76 Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Tex-
2
calculated from work-to-break and width of a specimen. In
tiles
2
geomembranes, breaking toughness is often expressed as force
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
3
per unit width of material in inch-pound values. In other
D 751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
materials, breaking toughness is often expressed as work per
unit mass of material.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
3.1.4 corresponding force, n—synonym for force at speci-
GeosyntheticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD35.10onGeomem-
fied elongation.
branes.
Current edition approved July 10, 2001. Published October 2001. Originally
published as D 4885–88. Last previous edition D 4885–88 (Reapproved 1995).
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vols 07.01 and 07.02. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
3 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.02. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.13.
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D4885–01
3.1.5 elastic limit, n— in mechanic
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