ASTM D4533/D4533M-15(2023)

Standard Test Method for Trapezoid Tearing Strength of Geotextiles

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, 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.  
5.2 The trapezoid tearing strength method is useful for estimating the relative tear resistance of different fabrics or different directions in the same fabric.  
5.3 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.  
5.3.1 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...
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 nonwoven 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 either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Jun-2023
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.01 - Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1776/D1776M-20 - Standard Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4354-12(2020) - Standard Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4533/D4533M − 15 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
1
Trapezoid Tearing Strength of Geotextiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4533/D4533M; 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 D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1776/D1776M Practice for Conditioning and Testing Tex-
1.1 This test method is an index test used to measure the
tiles
force required to continue or propagate a tear in woven or
D2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens for
nonwoven geotextiles by the trapezoid method. While useful
3
Textiles (Withdrawn 2008)
for quality control and acceptance testing, the trapezoid tear
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
test does not provide all the information needed for all design
Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
applications and other test methods should be used.
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
1.2 This test method is applicable to most geotextiles that
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, layered fabrics, knit
ASTM Test Methods
fabrics, and felts that are used for geotextile applications.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
3. Terminology
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
3.1 Definitions:
used independently of the other, and values from the two
3.1.1 atmosphere for testing geotextiles, n—air maintained
systems shall not be combined.
at a relative humidity of 65 6 5 % and a temperature of
21 6 2 °C [70 6 4 °F].
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.2 geotextile, n—any permeable textile material used
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
with foundation, soil, rock, earth, or any other geotechnical
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
engineering related material as an integral part of a man-made
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
product, structure, or system.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.3 tearing strength, n—the force required to either (1)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
start, or (2) continue or propagate a tear in a fabric under
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
specified conditions.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.3.1 Discussion—This test method uses the maximum
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
value of the tearing force as the tearing strength.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.4 For definitions of other terms used in this test method,
2. Referenced Documents refer to Terminology D123 or Terminology D4439.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Summary of Test Method
D76/D76M Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for
4.1 An outline of an isosceles trapezoid is marked on a
Textiles
rectangular specimen cut for the determination of tearing
strength (see Fig. 1), and the nonparallel sides of the trapezoid
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
marked on the specimen are clamped in parallel jaws of a
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.01 on Mechani-
tensile testing machine. The separation of the jaws is continu-
cal Properties.
Current edition approved June 15, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally ously increased so the tear propagates across the specimen. At
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D4533/D4533M – 15.
the same time, the force developed is recorded. The tearing
DOI: 10.1520/D4533_D4533M-15R23.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United
...