ASTM D5970-96

Standard Practice for Deterioration of Geotextiles from Outdoor Exposure

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: 09-May-1996
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.02 - Endurance Properties

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5970-96(2002) - Standard Practice for Deterioration of Geotextiles from Outdoor Exposure
• Effective Date: 10-May-1996

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 5970 – 96
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Practice for
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 (e) 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 due South at designated
1.2 The deterioration is assessed as a reduction in strength location for exposure times of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 18 months.
and strain at failure from the unexposed geotextile. Exposure shall begin so as to ensure that material is exposed
1.3 The specific location of the light and weather exposure during the maximum intensity of ultraviolet light of the year.
is made on the basis of a site specific decision between the On the continental United States this shall be mid-June.
parties involved. 4.1.1 Unexposed control coupons shall be retained for
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the testing.
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for 4.2 After each exposure time the appropriate coupons are
information only. brought into a laboratory for strength determination. The
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the results of these tests are compared to the strength determined
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the for the unexposed coupons. The user may be interested in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- exposure times other than specified in this test method. These
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- times should be noted in reporting the results.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4.3 The results are presented in the form of various plots.
2. Referenced Documents 5. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards: 5.1 Artificial exposure tests or outdoor exposure tests at one
D 5035 Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation location may not be applicable to a project site at another
of Textile Fabrics (Strip Method) location. This test method evaluates geotextiles under site
specific atmospheric conditions over an 18 month period. A
3. Terminology
degradation curve based on strength, elongation, or modulus,
3.1 Definitions:
or all of these, may be developed for the geotextile being
3.1.1 geotextile—a permeable geosynthetic comprised evaluated.
solely of textiles.
5.2 This test method can be used for comparative testing of
3.1.2 strain at failure—the strain of the geotextile at the the degradation of geotextiles.
elongation corresponding to the failure strength. It is expressed 5.3 This test method is considered to be a performance test
as elongation over original gage length.
and as such the responsibility for its performance rests with the
3.1.3 strength—the maximum, or ultimate, stress that a specifying or purchasing agency.
material can withstand. For geotextiles, expressed in units of
NOTE 1—The intent of this procedure is to provide the user of this test
force per unit width.
method and geotextiles a standard by which to evaluate ultraviolet
3.1.4 Discussion—In some geotextiles, after reaching maxi-
degradation at a specific site in terms of expected life, not in terms of
mum stress, there is a lesser strength that retained. This lesser
incident radiation and temperature. If desired, the user may want to have
strength is referred to as the ultimate strength of the geotextile. the necessary measurement and recording equipment at each site to do
this. However, the expense of doing so at each site may be prohibitive.
3.1.5 ultraviolet degradation—the photochemical change
Therefore, this is not a specific requirement of this test method.
induced by exposure to ultraviolet radiation that results in
deterioration of the performance characteristics of the poly-
6. Apparatus
meric structure.
6.1 The frame for holding the coupons during the exposure
phase of this test consists of a wooden frame (for example, a
sheet of exterior plywood) suitably braced so that it resides at
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-35 on Geosyn-
a 45° angle with the horizontal.
thetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.02 on Endurance
Properties.
Current edition approved May 10, 1996. Published December 1996.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 5970
6.1.1 The frame is to be unpainted with the surface pro-
tected from the effects of water and sunlight by varnishing the
surface.
6.1.2 The supported frame is firmly positioned in a location
free from obstruction from trees or other sources of shade. It
shall face due South. It shall be placed such that no heat or sun
light is reflected on it from surrounding buildings. If this is not
possible, it shall be noted in the test results report.
6.1.3 The frame shall be suitably anchored using anchors,
stakes, or adequate weights on the support legs.
6.2 The geotextiles coupons shall be fastened in such a way
so that undue stress, that could result in premature failure of the
geotextile, are not induced with care, staples may be used.
7. Sampling
7.1 Lot Sample—Divide the product into lots and take one
unit per lot as the lot sample.
7.1.1 Discussion—This test method is intended to be per-
formed by the purchaser for the purpose of determine geotex-
tile performance under site specific conditions. Should a
manufacturer perform this test it is not intended that each
manufactured lot be sampled and tested. This is because the
test is considered to be time intensive.
7.2 Laboratory Sample—Take for the laboratory sample a
sample of the geotextile extending the full width of the roll of
sufficient length along the selvedge from each sample roll such
that the requirements of 8.1 are met. The sample shall exclude
material from the outer wrap of the roll or the inner wrap
around the core unless the sample is taken at the production site
NOTE 1—Product roll is from the manufacturer. Samples are cut from
at which point outer or inner wrap may be used.
the product roll. Coupons for outdoor exposure are cut from samples.
7.3 See Fig. 1 for explanation of sample versus coupon
Specimens for tensile testing are cut from coupons.
versus specimen.
FIG. 1 Relation Between Sample, Coupon, Specimen
8. Test Coupon Preparation
an approximately 25 mm (1 in.) space around each sample. See lower
8.1 Cut six test coupons for each exposure time in the
photograph of F
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