ASTM D5970-09

Standard Test Method for Deterioration of Geotextiles from Outdoor Exposure

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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 Section 10.8, based on strength, elongation, or modulus, or all of these, may be developed for the geotextile being evaluated.  
This test method can be used for comparative testing of the degradation of geotextiles.
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 ultraviolet 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 SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.
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-May-2009
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.02 - Endurance Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5970-96(2002) - Standard Practice for Deterioration of Geotextiles from Outdoor Exposure
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 − 09
StandardTest Method for
1
Deterioration of Geotextiles from Outdoor Exposure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5970; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers evaluating the deterioration in
4.1 Geotextile coupons are attached to a test frame oriented
tensile strength and strain after outdoor exposure.
45° from the horizontal and facing the equator at designated
location for exposure times of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 18 months.
1.2 The deterioration is assessed as a reduction in strength
Exposure shall begin so as to ensure that material is exposed
and strain at failure from the unexposed geotextile.
during the maximum intensity of ultraviolet light of the year.
1.3 The specific location of the light and weather exposure
4.1.1 Unexposed control coupons shall be retained for
is made on the basis of a site specific decision between the
testing.
parties involved.
4.2 After each exposure time the appropriate coupons are
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
brought into a laboratory for strength determination. The
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
results of these tests are compared to the strength determined
information only.
for the unexposed coupons. The user may be interested in
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
exposure times other than specified in this test method. These
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
times should be noted in reporting the results.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.3 The results are presented in the form of various plots.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Outdoor exposure tests at one location may not be
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
applicable to a project site at another location.This test method
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
evaluatesgeotextilesundersitespecificatmosphericconditions
D5035 Test Method for Breaking Force and Elongation of
over an 18 month period. A degradation curve as per Section
Textile Fabrics (Strip Method)
10.8, based on strength, elongation, or modulus, or all of these,
may be developed for the geotextile being evaluated.
3. Terminology
5.2 This test method can be used for comparative testing of
3.1 For definitions of terms related to geosynthetics, refer to
the degradation of geotextiles.
Terminology D4439.
5.3 This test method is considered to be a performance test
3.2 Definitions:
and as such the responsibility for its performance rests with the
3.2.1 ultraviolet degradation—the photochemical change
specifying or purchasing agency.
induced by exposure to ultraviolet radiation that results in
deterioration of the performance characteristics of the poly- NOTE 1—The intent of this procedure is to provide the user of this test
method and geotextiles a standard by which to evaluate ultraviolet
meric structure.
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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
Therefore, this is not a specific requirement of this test method.
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.02 on Endur-
ance Properties.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009. Published June 2009. Originally
6. Apparatus
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D5970–96(2002).
DOI: 10.1520/D5970-09.
6.1 The frame for holding the coupons during the exposure
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
phase of this test consists of a wooden frame (for example, a
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
sheet of exterior plywood) suitably braced so that it resides at
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. a 45° angle with the horizontal.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D5970 − 09
NOTE 2—If a full sheet of plywood, 1200 by 2400 mm (4 by 8 ft), is
6.1.1 The frame is to be unpainted with the surface pro-
used, seven sets of coupons can be attached to the fram
...

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:D5970–96 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Practice for Designation:D5970–09
Standard Test Method for
1
Deterioration of Geotextiles from Outdoor Exposure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5970; 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 SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
information only.
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: ASTM Standards:
D 4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D 5035 Test Method for Breaking Force and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Strip Method)
3. Terminology
3.1
3.1 For definitions of terms related to geosynthetics, refer to Terminology D 4439.
3.2 Definitions:
3.1.1geotextile—a permeable geosynthetic comprised solely of textiles.
3.1.2strain at failure—the strain of the geotextile at the elongation corresponding to the failure strength. It is expressed as
elongation over original gage length.
3.1.3strength—the maximum, or ultimate, stress that a material can withstand. For geotextiles, expressed in units of force per
unit width.
3.1.4Discussion—In some geotextiles, after reaching maximum stress, there is a lesser strength that retained.This lesser strength
is referred to as the ultimate strength of the geotextile.
3.1.5
3.2.1 ultraviolet degradation—the photochemical change induced by exposure to ultraviolet radiation 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 due Souththe equator at
designatedlocationforexposuretimesof1,2,4,8,12,and18months.Exposureshallbeginsoastoensurethatmaterialisexposed
during the maximum intensity of ultraviolet light of the year. On the continental United States this shall be mid-June.
4.1.1 Unexposed control coupons shall be retained for testing.
1
This practice 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 May 10, 1996. Published December 1996.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009. Published June 2009. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D 5970–96(2002).
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 07.02.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 ----------------------
D5970–09
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.
4.3 The results are presented in the form of various plots.
5. Significance and Use
5.1Artificial5.1 Outdoor exposure tests or 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 Section 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
...