ASTM D7003/D7003M-03(2021)

Standard Test Method for Strip Tensile Properties of Reinforced Geomembranes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method evaluates strip tensile properties of reinforced geomembranes for the purposes of quality control, quality assurance, and research. In order to evaluate the full contribution of the reinforcement, testing is performed parallel to the directions of reinforcement. This test method is an index test and is not intended for design purposes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to measure the strip tensile properties of reinforced geomembranes.  
1.2 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.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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: 30-Jun-2021
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.10 - Geomembranes

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D4439-24 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM D4354-12(2020) - Standard Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4439-18 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2018
• Refers: ASTM D4439-17 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2017
• Refers: ASTM D4439-15a - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015
• Refers: ASTM D4439-15 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Refers: ASTM D4439-14 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Refers: ASTM D4354-12 - Standard Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products(RECPs) for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM D76/D76M-11 - Standard Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM D4439-11 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Refers: ASTM D4354-99(2009) - Standard Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics for Testing
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2009
• Refers: ASTM D4354-99(2004) - Standard Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004
• Refers: ASTM D4439-04 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2004
• Refers: ASTM D4439-02 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2002
• Refers: ASTM D4439-00 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2001

Overview

ASTM D7003/D7003M-03(2021), Standard Test Method for Strip Tensile Properties of Reinforced Geomembranes, is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM International. It provides a consistent methodology for evaluating the tensile properties of reinforced geomembranes using strip specimens. This test method is primarily utilized for quality control, quality assurance, and research purposes within geosynthetic and civil engineering industries. The method ensures reliable comparison of material performance by standardizing the testing process parallel to the direction of reinforcement in the geomembrane.

Key Topics

• Purpose: The standard measures strip tensile properties-such as peak strength and elongation-of reinforced geomembranes, critical for material verification and comparison.
• Testing Scope: Applies to geomembranes with internal textile reinforcement, with tests performed in both machine and transverse directions or along the direction of reinforcement.
• Test Apparatus: Requires a constant rate of extension tensile testing machine, precise grips to secure specimens, and accurate data recording mechanisms for force-displacement curves.
• Specimen Preparation: Involves cutting specimens to specified dimensions ensuring reinforcement continuity, as the strength varies if the reinforcing yarns are not intact from end to end.
• Reporting: Documentation includes full material identification, test direction, deviations from procedures, and statistical results for each direction tested.
• Safety and Compliance: Users must establish safety, health, and environmental practices and verify regulatory compliance before conducting tests.

Applications

The ASTM D7003/D7003M standard method is widely employed in several practical contexts:

• Quality Control and Assurance: Manufacturers and suppliers use this test to verify batch consistency and material compliance prior to shipment or installation.
• Project Specifications: Specifiers and engineers reference test outcomes to check that supplied reinforced geomembranes meet project or regulatory requirements.
• Comparative Analysis: Enables comparison between products or suppliers by using a standardized tensile testing method.
• Research and Development: Laboratories leverage the method to study material properties, optimize reinforcement structures, and innovate geosynthetic designs.
• Field Verification: On-site testing practices may refer to this standard to evaluate samples taken from installed geomembranes, supporting claims of material integrity.

Related Standards

To ensure accurate and comparable results, ASTM D7003/D7003M references and aligns with several other standards:

• ASTM D76/D76M - Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Textiles
• ASTM D4354 - Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
• ASTM D4439 - Terminology for Geosynthetics

These documents provide the foundational terminology, equipment specifications, and sampling techniques integral to the successful application of the strip tensile test method.

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By following ASTM D7003/D7003M, stakeholders in construction, environmental engineering, and geosynthetic product manufacturing can obtain reliable tensile property data for reinforced geomembranes, advancing both quality assurance and innovation in infrastructure and environmental projects. For detailed procedures and requirements, always refer to the latest authorized version of the standard directly from ASTM International.

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: D7003/D7003M − 03 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Method for
Strip Tensile Properties of Reinforced Geomembranes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7003/D7003M; 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 3.1.2 atmosphere for testing geosynthetics, n—air main-
tained at a relative humidity between 50 to 70 % and a
1.1 This test method is used to measure the strip tensile
temperature of 21 6 2 °C [70 6 4 °F].
properties of reinforced geomembranes.
3.1.3 reinforced geomembrane, n—a geomembrane inter-
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
nally reinforced with a textile.
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
3.1.4 yarn, n—a generic term for a continuous strand of
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
textile fibers, filaments, or material in a form suitable for
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
knitting, weaving, or otherwise intertwining to form a textile
used independently of the other, and values from the two
fabric.
systems shall not be combined.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 This test method evaluates strip tensile properties of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
reinforced geomembranes for the purposes of quality control,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
quality assurance, and research. In order to evaluate the full
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
contribution of the reinforcement, testing is performed parallel
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
to the directions of reinforcement. This test method is an index
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
test and is not intended for design purposes.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5. Apparatus
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.1 Tensile Testing Machine—Constant rate of extension
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
(CRE) equipment meeting the requirements of Specification
D76/D76M. The load cell shall be accurate to within 61%of
2. Referenced Documents
the applied force. The drive mechanism shall be able to control
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the rate of extension to within 61 % of the targeted rate.
D76/D76M Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for
5.2 Grips—One of the grips must be self-aligning to com-
Textiles
pensate for uneven distribution of force across the specimen.
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
The clamping force and the clamp surfaces shall hold the
Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
specimen firmly without causing damage. The clamps shall be
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
capable of gripping a 25 mm [1 in.] by 25 mm [1 in.] area.This
can be accomplished by either using 25 mm [1 in.] square
3. Terminology
clamp faces or by using clamps with dimensions of 25 mm
3.1 Definitions:
[1 in.] by greater than 25 mm [1 in.] and crossing the clamps in
3.1.1 Definitions of terms applying to this test method
the grips so that only a 25 mm [1 in.] by 25 mm [1 in.] area is
appear in Terminology D4439.
gripped.
5.3 Recording Mechanism—The testing machine shall be
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
equipped with equipment capable of producing a hard copy of
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomem-
the force versus displacement curve. Electronic data acquisi-
branes.
tion with printer capabilities or direct recording devices are
Current edition approved July 1, 2021. Published July 2021. Originally approved
ɛ1
acceptable.
in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D7003/D7003M – 03 (2013) .
DOI: 10.1520/D7003_D7003M-03R21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 6. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.1 Lot Sample—For the lot sample, take rolls of geomem-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. brane per the applicable project specification, or as agreed
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7003/D7003M − 03 (2021)
upon between purchaser and supplier. Unless otherwise 8.2 Clamp a specimen so that the specimen is centered in
specified, refer to Practice D4354. the clamps with the sides of the clamps being parallel to the
tested reinforcement.
6.2 Laboratory Sample—For the laboratory sample, take a
full-width swatch approximately1m[3ft] long by roll width 8.3 Elongate the specimen at a test spee
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