Quality Assurance of Jute

Geotextiles

TESTING
5 BASIC FUNCTIONS
RELATED TESTS
OF
GEOTEXTILES
1. Separation
 A geotextile is placed between fine soil and
coarse material to prevent the two materials
from mixing.

 With the introduction of this barrier the

dissimilar materials are each able to function
properly.

Concept of Separation
Function
Tests Related to Separation Property of Jute Geotextile
Tear
proagation
Impact resistance Bursting
Resistance Strength
Impact
Resistanc
e

Thickness A.O.S
.

CBR Puncture
Resistance
2. Drainage
 A geotextile collects a liquid and conveys it
towards an outlet.

 All fabrics can provide such a function, but a

thin woven fabric obviously has less capacity
than a thick needle punched non-woven.

 This drainage-in-the-plane is termed

transmittivity in contrast to permittivity for
filtration.
Drainage Function of Geotextiles

In Plane
Permeability

Cross Plane
Permeability
3. Filtration
A geotextile placed in contact with the soil, allows water to
pass through while preventing the passage of soil particles.

Both adequate permeability (permittivity) and soil retention

are required simultaneously over the design life of such
application.
Filtration permit liquid to pass through its
plane whilst
blocking the path of soil particles
FILTRATIO
Water N
Layer
Without
Aggregate Geotextil
a e
Fine
s Water
Water Flow
Layer

Geotextil With
e Geotextil
e
Tests Related to Drainage
Property of Jute Geotextile

Thickness

Permeability

A.O.S.
4. Protection
Geotextiles some times used in a geotextile-
geomembrane system.

In situations where fluids must be contained, such as

surrounding a landfill, geomembranes are used.

Many geomembranes are not resilient enough to

withstand the effects of aggregate forces and
puncture.

Geotextiles can be used as a protective cushion

surrounding the geomembrane allowing for the
desired system properties.
Tests Related to Protective Property
of Jute Geotextile

Burst
CBR pressure
Puncture resistanc
resistance e

Abrasion
resistance
Tests Related to Reinforcement
Property of Jute Geotextile
A geotextile used to improve the mechanical
properties of an earth structure by interacting with
soil. Geotextile/
soil friction

aa aa
Tensile
strength of
geotextiles
The Impotrant Characteristics of
Geotextiles are:

1.Physical properties
2.Mechanical properties
3.Hydraulic properties
The Important Characteristics of Geotextiles are Broadly Classified as:

1. Physical properties: 3. Hydraulic

 Weight/Unit Area properties:
 Thickness
 Apparent opening size
 Permeability
 Permittivity
2. Mechanical
properties:
 Transmissivity
 Tensile strength
 Bursting Strength
 Tearing strength
 Frictional resistance
 CBR puncture
resistance
Common tests and corresponding
Standards used in Quality Assurance
testing.

Test Properties Test Methods

Mass/unit area ASTM D 5261
Thickness ASTM D 5199
Strip Strength Test IS: 1969:2009
Wide width Tensile Strength ASTM D 4595
Grab Tensile & Elongation ASTM D 4632
Bursting Strength ASTM D 3786
CBR Puncture ASTM D 6241
Puncture Resistance by Falling Cone IS: 13162 (Part 4) 1992
Method
A.O.S ASTM D 4751
In Plane Permittivity ASTM D 4491
Trapezoid Tear Strength ASTM D 4533
Quality Assurance During
Manufacturing
1. Product Identification and Documentation

A. Each lot of Geotextile assigned by a unique

number.

B. Test results of Geotextile fabric need to comply

customers specification.

C. Product does not meet the customers specification,

need to be treated as NON-CONFIRMED product.

D. Quality assurance certificates need to be supplied

with each roll.
Quality Assurance During
Manufacturing
2. Testing
A. Routine testing are need to be performed
as per requirement .
B. Special testing may be performed
occasionally as per requirement.

3. Retention of Records
C. Records of sold and produced geotextiles
need to be maintained systematically.
Quality Assurance During
Manufacturing
4. Material Quality Assurance

A. Quality of raw material need to be checked to

assure the end product quality.

B. Visual inspection of product reduces the

number of defects.

C. Proper packaging is essential before shipping

the geotextile fabrics.
 JUTE GEOTEXTILES
TESTING FACILITIES
AT
IJIRA AND NERC
&
IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
Physical Testing Laboratory at
IJIRA, Kolkata
MASS/ UNIT AREA
Importance: NAME OF THE INSTRUMENTS:
1. Mass/ Unit Area is Weighing Scale, Template.
fundamental Physical
PURPOSE:
property of Geotextiles.
To measure the fabric weight per
It gives an indications of
unit area.
other properties.
TEST SPECIFICATION:
2.Heavy Weight ASTM D3776 M- 09a (Reapproved
Geotextiles- higher 2013).
mass /unit area,
Stronger in tensile PRINCIPLE:
strength By measuring the mass of cut units.

(when raw material and

RANGE:
manufacturing process are same)
1-5000 GSM.
3. Cost of Geotextile is
directly related to weight.
THICKNESS
Thickness effects the following areas-
1. Ability to transmit a flow of water in the
plane of the geotextile which is important
for Drainage and Filtration properties.
Geotextile
Geotextile Soil

Water

Soil
Filtration Drainage
Separation
2. It also effects the Separation property.
THICKNESS
NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT:
Dial Thickness Gauge.

PURPOSE: To determine the

thickness of geotextiles.

TEST SPECIFICATION:
ASTM D 5199- 01.

PRINCIPLE:
Measuring of geotextiles
thickness from displacement
between the base and pressure
foot of instrument.

RANGE: 0.01-12 mm.

 Strip Tensile Test
NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT:
INSTRON tensile Tester.

Fixed PURPOSE: To test the

Jaw Strip strength of fabrics.

TEST SPECIFICATION:

Movable IS: 1969 -2009

Jaw

Direction of PRINCIPLE: Constant

Jaw Rate of Extension (CRE).
movement
RANGE: 0-100 kN.
Sample Size:
50 mm X 350 mm
for gauge length 200 mm
Wide Width Tensile Strength
The reason for the necessity of wide-width
specimens is that geotextiles (particularly non-
woven) achieve high poison’s ratio value from
narrow strip test.

The greater width of the specimen in “Wide width

test”, minimize the contraction effect and
provides a closer relationship to expected
geotextile behavior in the field and a standard
comparison.
Wide Width Tensile Strength
NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT:
INSTRON tensile
Tester.

PURPOSE:
To test the tensile strength by
Wide – Width Strip method.

TEST SPECIFICATION:
ASTM D 4595- 11.

Wide Width Grip

PRINCIPLE: Constant Rate
Geotextile of Extension (CRE).
Sample
RANGE: 0-100 Kn.
Grab strength Jaw & Specification
NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT:
INSTRON tensile Tester.

PURPOSE:
To test the Grab strength of
Geo-textiles

TEST SPECIFICATION: ASTM

A = 1 in D 4632-91
B = 2 in
C≥A PRINCIPLE:
in
Constant Rate of Extension
D≥D
(CRE)
in

Grab Strength Grip RANGE: 0-100 kN

Grab strength Sample

100 mm
Back Front
Jaw of Jaw of
Upper Upper
Clamp Clamp
50 mm

200
mm

75 mm
Back Front
Jaw of Jaw of
Lower Lower
Clamp Clamp
Grab strength
Grab tensile strength is required to design the
geotextiles for separation.

When pressure is applied to the upper stone, it

spreads the two lower stones laterally. As a result,
tension is mobilized in the geotextile. It is
analogous to the grab tensile strength test.
X
1 2

Fig. A
1 2

Y
Fig. B
Trapezoid Tear Strength
NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT:
INSTRON tensile Tester.

PURPOSE:
To test the Trapezoid
Tear strength of
fabrics.

TEST SPECIFICATION:
ASTM D 5587- 15

PRINCIPLE:
Constant Rate of Extension
Tear Strength (CRE).
Test
RANGE: 0-
100 kN.

.
 Trapezoid Tear Strength

This test is done to tear 90 mm

the test specimen from

the point of incision.

 Tear strength is 90 mm
important when the
geotextile is damaged. 90 mm

Tear Strength Specimen

Bursting Strength
NAMEOF
NAME OFTHETHEINSTRUMENT:
INSTRUMENT:
Geotextile Mullen
Mullen Bursting
Bursting Strength
Strength Tester.
Sample Tester.

PURPOSE:
PURPOSE:
To test strength
To test the Bursting the Bursting
of
strength of fabric.
fabric.

TESTSPECIFICATION:
TEST SPECIFICATION:
ASTM DASTM
3786- D
873786- 87M/ D
/ D 3786 –
3786 M – 13.
13.

PRINCIPLE:
PRINCIPLE: The resistance
Theofresistance
textile fabric to bursting
of textile fabric to
is determined using
bursting
hydraulicis pressure
determined
throughusing
hydraulic
diaphragm. pressure through
Pressure Gauge diaphragm.
RANGE:
RANGE: 0-400 lbf / sq. in.
0-400 lbf / sq. in.
Bursting Strength
Bursting Strength is important where Geotextile
used as separating material between two layers.

When Geotextile can not deform any further, it will

burst.
 CBR Puncture or CBR Push
Through
NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT:
CBR Push Through or Static Puncture
Plunger

PURPOSE:
Sampl To test the Bursting strength of fabric.
e
Holdin
g TEST SPECIFICATION:
ASTM D
Plates
6241

1. Probe diameter 50 PRINCIPLE:

mm (2.0 in.) diameter. The resistance of textile fabric to
2. Container diameter CBR plunger is determined using a
probe of 50 mm diameter.
150 mm.
3. Speed 50 mm /min.
RANGE:
0-100 kN
CBR Puncture or CBR Push
Through
The puncture strength test evaluates-
The ability of geotextiles to withstand stresses
and loads during the construction process.

Therefore, the puncture resistance is

commonly used-
to select a geotextile and predict its
performance CBR Puncture takes place
over time.

Pressure

Aggregate

Geotextile
Pyramid Puncture
NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT:
Pyramid Puncture

PURPOSE:
To test the Pyramid Puncture
resistance of fabric.

TEST SPECIFICATION: IS:

13162 (Part 4) 1992

PRINCIPLE:
The resistance of textile fabric to
puncture by sharp cone is
determined using stain steel cone
with 45 degree tip angle.

RANGE: 0-50
mm dia of pore
Pyramid Puncture
Apparent Opening Size
The pore size distribution of the fabric is determined by
sieving dry spherical solid glass beads for a
specified time at a specified frequency of vibration and
then measuring the amount retained by the fabric
sample.

1. The test is carried out on a range of sizes of glass

beads.
2. The apparent pore size distribution is presented on a
graph using scales compatible with soil grading curves.
3. In addition, the apparent opening size (O 95) is
determined, this being the pore size at which 95% of
the glass beads are retained on and within the fabric.
Apparent Opening Size
This test provides information on the
pore size distribution which is an
important parameter to be used in
assessing a geotextile's soil filtration
capability.
Apparent Opening Size
NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT:
Sieve Shaker .

PURPOSE:
To test the Apparent Opening Size
(A. O. S.) of Geotextiles .

TEST SPECIFICATION:
ASTM D 4751 – 12.

PRINCIPLE:
By lateral and vertical motion to the
sieve.

RANGE:
0 – less than 425 micron (for O95 ).
Water Permeability

This test is useful in classifying

geotextiles and for comparing the
water permeability of geotextiles
specially in drainage and filtration
applications.
Water Permeability
 This test measures the quantity of water
which can pass through a geotextile (normal
to the plane) in an isolated condition.

 Since there are geotextiles of various

thicknesses available- it is better to evaluate
them in terms of permittivity, which relates
the quantity of water passing through a
geotextile under a given head over a
particular cross-sectional area.
 Water Permeability

Water
Manometer measures
Inlet
head of water above and
below Geotextiles
Water
Column

Geotextile
Rotameter Sample
measures water
flow lit/ min
Water Outlet
 Water Permeability
Permeability = q / A. NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT:

Unit : lit/ sq. m / BTRA Water Permeability Tester.

min
PURPOSE:
rmeability Coefficient (Kn) = q X t /A. h
To determine the water permeability
Unit : cm/ min and Permittivity of geotextiles under
standard test condition.

Permittivity (ψ) = q /A. h TEST SPECIFICATION:

Unit : / ASTM D 4491 – 99a (Reaffirmed 2009).
sec
Q = total water collected after PRINCIPLE:
time ∆t Hence, flow rate = q = Q/ Constant head water column method.
∆t
t = Thickness of geotextile RANGE:
∆h = Pressure head difference 0.0- 4.0 L/ min (water flow rate).
A = cross-sectional area of
geotextile
∆t = Time required for total water
Transmissivity
 Transmissivity (Constant Head test)
NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT:
In plane Permeability
Transmissivity ( )= Kp X TesterTester.
Tg
PURPOSE:
Unit: sq. m/ sec To test the In plane Permeability
of geotextiles.
Where,
Kp = Coefficient of Permeability of TEST SPECIFICATION:
Water in the plane of Geotesxtile ASTM D 4716
(m/sec)
PRINCIPLE:
Tg = Thickness of material (m) Constant head water column
method.
 SOIL TESTING
FACILITIES
AT
IJIRA AND NERC
SOIL Lab at IJIRA
List of Equipments and Instruments
of Soil Laboratory
SL
Instruments
NO Function
1 LIQUID LIMIT APPARATUS TEST IS TO DETERMINE THE LIQUID LIMIT OF THE SOIL SAMPLE USING CASAGRANDE TYPE
MECHANICAL LIQUID LIMIT APPARATUS.
DETERMINATION THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WATER CONTENT AND DRY DENSITY OF
COMPACTION PROCTOR
2 SOIL USING STANDARD & MODIFIED PROCTOR TEST TO DETERMINE THE OPTIMUM WATER
APPARATUS
CONTENT AND CORRESPONDING MAXIMUM DRY DENSITY OF A SOIL.
3 WEIGHING BALANCE
DETERMINE WEIGHT OF SOIL SAMPLE
MERLIN MODIFIED
4 ROUGHNESS INDICATOR
APPARATUS DETERMINATION OF LONGITUDINAL UNEVENNESS (ROUGHNESS) OF A ROAD SURFACE.
5 BENKELMAN BEAM TO DETERMINE THE DEFLECTION OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT UNDER THE ACTION OF MOVING
LOAD.
6 CBR APPARATUS
TO DETERMINE CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO OF SOIL ( LOAD VS PENETRATION RELATION )
7 OVEN DRYING MACHINE

8 SKID RESISTANCE TESTER TO TEST QUICK AND PERIODICAL CHECKS OF SKID OR FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE ON THE ROAD
SURFACES TO EVALUATE ITS STATUS OF SURFACE ROUGHNESS.
LABORATORY VANE SHEAR TEST FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF SHEAR STRENGTH OF COHESIVE SOILS OR SOILS OF LOW
9 APPARATUS SHEAR STRENGTH (LESS THAN 0.3 KG/CM2)
DENSITY HYDROMETER OF
10 SOIL TO DETERMINE THE PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF SOIL MASS LESS THAN 75 MICRON
CYCLIC MECHANICAL TO DETERMINE THE STRENGTH OF SOIL SUB GRADE UNDER DIFFERENT STATIC LOAD AND
11 LOADING APPARATUS ALSO ON DIFFERENT DYNAMIC LOADS