Designation: D7101 – 08

Standard Index Test Method for

Determination of Unvegetated Rolled Erosion Control
Product (RECP) Ability to Protect Soil from Rain Splash and
Associated Runoff Under Bench-Scale Conditions1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7101; 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* dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for

1.1 This index test method establishes the guidelines, re- obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
quirements and procedures for evaluating the ability of unveg- ations for the user’s objectives, and it is common practice to
etated rolled erosion control products (RECPs) to protect soils increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
from simulated rainfall (rain splash) and minimal runoff commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
induced erosion. The critical element of this protection is the of this index test method to consider significant digits used in
ability of the unvegetated RECP to absorb the impact force of analytical methods for engineering design.
raindrops, thereby reducing soil particle loosening through 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
“splash” mechanisms, and limiting the ability of runoff to carry safety concerns, if any, associated with its use and may involve
the loosened soil particles. use of hazardous materials, equipment, and operations. It is the
1.2 This index test method utilizes bench-scale testing responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
procedures and is not indicative of unvegetated RECP perfor- priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
mance in conditions typically found in the field. bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Also, the user must
comply with prevalent regulatory codes, such as OSHA (Oc-
NOTE 1—The values obtained with this bench scale procedure are for cupational Health and Safety Administration) guidelines, while
initial performance indication, general product comparison and conform-
using the index test method.
ance purposes only. These values should not be used in estimating RECP
soil protection in actual field use with such calculations as the Universal
2. Referenced Documents
Soil Loss Equation (USLE) or Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation
(RUSLE) without verification from qualified, large-scale tests. 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
1.3 This index test is not intended to replace full-scale D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
simulation or field testing in acquisition of performance values Fluids
that are required in the design of erosion control measures D698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-
utilizing unvegetated RECPs. istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft3(600
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the kN-m/m3))
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
only. Data
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this standard. Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ D6459 Test Method for Determination of Rolled Erosion
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Hills-
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the lopes from Rainfall-Induced Erosion
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce- D6475 Test Method for Measuring Mass Per Unit Area of
Erosion Control Blankets
D6566 Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.25 on Erosion and
2
Sediment Control Technology. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2008. Published February 2008. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D7101 – 07. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7101-08. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D7101 – 08
Turf Reinforcement Mats at its lower end to accommodate a recessed soil core. The
ramps shall be 900 6 20 mm (35 6 0.8 in.) in length and 250
3. Terminology 6 20 mm wide (10 6 0.8 in.). The incline structure shall be
3.1 Definitions: For common definitions of terms in this adjustable to a slope gradient of at least 3:1 (horizontal:verti-
standard, refer to Terminology D653. cal) and be able to maintain the desired slope. The incline
structure shall have raised dividers (at least 25.0 mm (1 in.)
4. Summary of Test Method tall) between ramps to prevent cross-ramp soil splash and
4.1 Soil cores consisting of containers with both bare and run-on/runoff (Fig. 1).
unvegetated RECP-protected soil are exposed to simulated 6.4 Collection Buckets—Any type of bucket having suffi-
rainfall. cient diameter and volume to collect all runoff from the runoff
4.2 The amount of soil that splashes out of or is dislodged ramp may be used.
and carried by runoff from the containers is collected and 6.5 Filters—Whatman #3 filter paper3 to separate sediment
weighed. The results can be used to compare bare and from soil and water solution.
RECP-protected situations. 6.6 Miscellaneous—Other miscellaneous equipment in-
4.3 Key elements of the testing process include: 1) calibra- cludes: sieve set (standard US sieves), evaporating dishes,
tion of the rainfall simulation equipment; 2) preparation of the drying oven, and balance.
test cores; 3) documentation of the RECP to be tested; 4)
7. Sampling
installation of the RECP; 5) prosecution of the test; 6)
collection of data; 7) analysis of the resultant data, and; 8) 7.1 The laboratory sample should be 1 m2(10.76 ft2).
reporting.
8. Procedure
5. Significance and Use 8.1 Calibration of Rainfall Simulator
5.1 This index test method indicates a unvegetated RECP’s 8.1.1 Calibration of the rainfall simulation equipment in-
ability to reduce rainsplash-induced erosion under bench-scale cludes verification of: 1) rainfall intensity; 2) uniformity of
conditions. This test method may also assist in identifying rainfall application across the holding container, and; 3) drop
physical attributes of RECPs that contribute to their erosion- size. See Annex A1 for details.
control performance. 8.1.2 At a minimum, calibration shall be conducted on an
5.2 This test method is bench-scale and therefore, appropri- annual basis and also following initital equipment set-up and
ate as an index test for initial indication of product perfor- any equipment maintenance.
mance, for general comparison of unvegetated RECP capabili- 8.2 Test Set-up
ties, and for product quality assurance/conformance testing. 8.2.1 After calibration, prepare three soil cores for each
The results of this test are not indicative of an RECP’s actual RECP to be tested and nine cores for the bare soil conditions.
field performance. 8.2.1.1 Fill/compact (see 8.2.1.2) the cores with the stan-
dard soil (see Annex A2 for soil details) flush with the lip of the
NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by this standard is container.
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the NOTE 3—The standard sand used in this test procedure has been found
criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent to be successful for product comparison purposes. However, site-specific
and objective testing/sampling/inspections/etc. Users of this standard are soils, user-defined soils, or both, may be used based on user needs. If
cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not itself assure non-standard soils are used, agreement should be established between the
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 testing laboratory and the test user.
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors. 8.2.1.2 Unless otherwise agreed to prior to testing, compact
6. Apparatus the soil into the soil cores at 90 6 3% of standard dry density
at optimum moisture content 6 2%.
6.1 Rainfall Simulator—Rainfall is produced by a labora- 8.2.2 Adjust the incline structure to a gradient of 3:1 (h:v),
tory simulator capable of creating uniform drops with a median unless other slope gradient(s) are agreed to between the test
diameter of 3.0 to 3.5 mm (0.12 to 0.14 in.) from a drop height laboratory and the user of the test.
of 2000.0 mm (78.72 in.) above the lowest point of the incline 8.2.3 Place three of the prepared soil cores into the openings
structure (see 6.3). The rainfall simulator shall be capable of of the incline structure. The top edges of the cores are to be a
producing rainfall intensities of 51 6 5 mm/hr (2 6 0.2 in./hr), minimum of 2 cm (0.8 in) away from the sides of the runoff
102 6 5 mm/hr (4 6 0.2 in./hr), and 153 6 5 mm/hr (6 6 0.2 ramps.
in./hr). The simulator must be centered over the test area to 8.2.4 For RECP-protected cores, place the RECP test
provide uniform rain application over the entire incline struc- sample over the entire incline structure including the soil core
ture (Fig. 1).
6.2 Soil Cores—Consist of water-tight containers nominally
200 6 10 mm (8 6 0.4 in.) inside diameter plastic pipe section 3
The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
cylinders with height of 100 6 10 mm (4 6 0.4 in.) holding is Whatman Inc., 200 Park Ave., Suite 210, Florham Park, New Jersey, 07932,
www.whatman.com. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this
soil and test specimens.
information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive
6.3 Incline Structure—Required is an incline structure com- careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee,1 which
prised of three adjacent “runoff ramps” each having an opening you may attend.

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 D7101 – 08

FIG. 1 Slope Erosion: Bench Scale Laboratory Test Apparatus

surfaces. Clip or otherwise affix the sample to the raised 8.3.5 Repeat 8.3.3 and 8.3.4 every 5 min.
barriers between runoff ramps in such a way to avoid obstruc- 8.3.6 Pour the water and soil mixture from the collection
tion of flow and facilitate intimate contact with the runoff ramp buckets through a Whatman #3 filter paper to collect the
and the soil surfaces of the cores. sediment from the first five minutes of the test. Measure and
8.2.4.1 Each RECP specimen shall be weighed and mea- record the amount of water collected in each bucket. Additional
sured to determine its mass per unit area in accordance with water may be used in order to wash all the soil out of the
Test Methods D6475 and D6566 prior to affixing to the runoff holding container.
ramps. 8.3.7 Repeat this process until the set of three soil cores has
8.3 Test Operation and Data Collection undergone six five-minute periods of simulated rainfall, which
8.3.1 Cover the incline structure and soil cores with a equals 30 min of exposure to simulated rain.
waterproof lid or canopy and activate rainfall simulator at the 8.3.8 Dry each sediment sample in an oven at 105°C
target intensity. Both the RECP protected and bare soil control (221°F) for a minimum of 24 h, then weigh sample and
cores shall be subjected to three target rainfall intensities of 51 determine mass to 6 0.01 g. The data for each pot should be
6 5 mm/hr (2 6 0.2 in./hr), 102 6 5 mm/hr (4 6 0.2 in./hr), entered into a table such as shown in Fig. 2.
and 153 6 5 mm/hr (6 6 0.2 in./hr), unless other intensities are
8.3.9 Repeat the procedure with the remaining sets of three
agreed upon between the user of the test and testing laboratory.
test cores at each target rainfall intensity.
8.3.2 After rainfall reaches a steady rate, position the
collection buckets at the end of the runoff ramps and remove
9. Calculation
the cover from the incline structure and begin timing the test.
8.3.3 After five minutes, replace the waterproof cover or 9.1 Average the three masses of sediment corresponding to
turn off the rainfall and take the collection buckets out of the the same five-minute period(s) to obtain six mean masses of
simulator. soil loss from the RECP-protected cores at each target rainfall
8.3.4 Position empty collection buckets at the end of the intensity.
runoff ramps, remove the cover or turn rainfall back on, and 9.1.1 The data for each pot should be entered into a table
resume the test. such as shown in Fig. 2 and normalized to the sample roll

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 D7101 – 08
4

FIG. 2 Example of Table Data

 D7101 – 08
average mass per unit area based on the specimen-specific 10.1.1 General information, including test facility location,
mass per unit area for the pot. date, time and operator name.
9.2 Sum the six mean masses of soil loss from the RECP- 10.1.2 Calibration data and analysis (latest information).
protected soil cores to obtain the mean mass (MRECP) for the 10.1.3 Test set-up activities, including 1) test conditions
entire 30 min run at each rainfall intensity. (slope gradient, rainfall intensity); 2) soil type and conditions;
9.3 Average the three masses of sediment corresponding to 3) RECP product type and description, and; 4) soil loss (g).
the same five-minute period(s) to obtain six mean masses of 10.1.3.1 The sand gradation and standard proctor moisture-
soil loss from the bare soil cores at each target rainfall intensity. density relationship shall be reported. If other soils are used,
9.4 Sum the six mean masses of soil loss from the bare soil the soils’ information shall include: soil type/texture (that is,
control cores to obtain the mean mass (Mcontrol) for the entire topsoil, sandy loam, silt loam, clay); standard proctor moisture-
30 min run at each target rainfall intensity. density relationship; gradation (including hydrometer test for
9.5 Enter the mean masses obtained for the RECP and bare the P200 fraction); organic matter content; plasticity indices;
soil control cores as a function of time at each target rainfall and pH.
intensity into a table. 10.1.4 Raw data and mean soil masses.
9.6 Calculate the Bench-Scale Cover Index (BSCI) of the 10.1.5 A table, graph, or both, of the mean soil loss masses
test material at each rainfall intensity as follows: as a function of time at each rainfall intensity.
10.1.6 The calculated BSCI for the test material at each
BSCI 5 MRECP / MCONTROL (1)
rainfall intensity.
where: 11. Precision and Bias
MRECP = mean mass of soil loss from RECP pro-
tected cores according to 9.2, and 11.1 Precision—Test data on precision is not presented due
MCONTROL = mean mass of soil loss from unprotected to the nature of the soil materials tested by this test method. It
control cores according to 9.4. is either not feasible or too costly at this time to have ten or
9.7 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the more laboratories participate in a round-robin testing program.
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in 11.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this test
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this standard. method, therefore, bias cannot be determined.
12. Keywords
10. Report 12.1 erosion control; rainfall simulation; RECP; rolled ero-
10.1 The report shall at a minimum include the following: sion control product; sediment and slope

ANNEXES

(Mandatory Information)

A1. Calibration of Rainfall Simulator

A1.1 Calibration of Rainfall Intensity and Uniformity of A1.2.3 Turn on the rain simulator and allow it to reach a
Rainfall Distribution steady rate of rainfall. Remove the waterproof cover briefly to
A1.1.1 Place at least four rain gauges in a holding container let drops impinge on the flour to form pellets.
and cover with a waterproof lid or canopy. A1.2.4 Replace the cover after only a few seconds before
the pellets start to touch each other.
A1.1.2 Turn on the rain simulator and allow it to reach a
steady rate of rainfall. A1.2.5 Air-dry the flour-filled pans for a minimum of 12 h.
A1.2.6 Screen the semi-dry pellets by emptying the entire
A1.1.3 Allow the calibration test to proceed for at least 15
contents of the pans onto a 70 mesh sieve in order to carefully
min. Operating conditions representing those to be used in
remove as much loose flour as possible.
practice shall be used.
A1.2.7 Transfer the remaining pellets to evaporating dishes
A1.1.4 Verify that the intensity stated in 6.1 is met in each and heat in an oven at 43°C (110°F) for 2 h.
of the rain gauges.
A1.2.8 Weigh the total mass of the hard flour pellets.
A1.2.9 Pour the pellets through standard soil sieves and
A1.2 Calibration of Uniformity of Drop-size
shake the stack for 2 min. Foreign matter and any double
A1.2.1 Fill four pie pans with sifted flour and strike off with pellets are culled from each sieve and the total weight for each
a ruler to produce a smooth, uncompacted surface. size is recorded.
A1.2.2 Place the pie pans in a holding container and cover A1.2.10 Verify that the distribution of pellet sizes meets the
with a waterproof lid or canopy. conditions of 6.1.

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 D7101 – 08

FIG. A2.1 Target Sand Gradation

A2. Standard Soils

A2.1 General soil type to be used for testing shall be sand. A2.2 If the RECP is to be soil filled, the additional cover
The sand shall comply with the sand gradation given in Test soil is placed and compacted after the RECP placement.
Method D6459. The target gradation curve for the sand is
included in Fig. A2.1. The sand layers shall be compacted to
approximately 90 % of Standard Proctor density per Test
Methods D698.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D7101 – 07) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved January 1, 2008.)

(1) Revised Eq 1. (2) Section 10.1.6: SLR changed to BSCI.

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