Designation: D7005/D7005M − 16

Standard Test Method for

Determining the Bond Strength (Ply Adhesion) of
Geocomposites1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7005/D7005M; 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 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 It has been widely discussed in the literature that bond 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
strength of flexible multi-ply materials is difficult to measure D76/D76M Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for
with current technology. The above is recognized and accepted, Textiles
since all known methods of measurement include the force D2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens for
required to bend the separated layers, in addition to that Textiles (Withdrawn 2008)3
required to separate them. However, useful information can be D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
obtained when one realizes that the bending force is included Erosion Control Products(RECPs) for Testing
and that direct comparison between different materials, or even D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
between the same materials of different thickness, cannot be D5321/D5321M Test Method for Determining the Shear
made. Also, conditioning that affects the moduli of the plies Strength of Soil-Geosynthetic and Geosynthetic-
will be reflected in the bond strength measurement. Geosynthetic Interfaces by Direct Shear
1.2 This index test method defines a procedure for compar- E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ing the bond strength or ply adhesion of geocomposites. The ASTM Test Methods
focus is on geotextiles bonded to geonets or other types of E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
drainage cores; for example, geomats, geospacers, etc. Other Determine the Precision of a Test Method
possible uses are geotextiles adhered or bonded to themselves,
geomembranes, geogrids, or other dissimilar materials. Various 3. Terminology
processes can make such laminates: adhesives, thermal 3.1 Definitions:
bonding, stitch bonding, needling, spread coating, etc. 3.1.1 atmosphere for testing geosynthetics—air maintained
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units at a relative humidity between 50 to 70 % and a temperature of
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in 21 6 2°C [70 6 4°F].
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each 3.1.2 bond strength (ply adhesion)—amount of force re-
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining quired (per unit width) to separate plies of material or materials
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance in peeling mode plus the force to bend the plies.
with the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1.3 geocomposite—a product composed of two or more
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the materials, at least one of which is a geosynthetic.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.4 geomat/geospacer—any three dimensional, polymeric
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- material used with soil, rock, or other geotechnical engineering
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau- related material as an integral part of a man-made project,
tionary statements are given in 11.1.1. structure, or system.

1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.01 on Mechani- contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
cal Properties. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016. Published January 2016. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D7005/D7005M–15. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D7005_D7005M-16. www.astm.org.

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

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 D7005/D7005M − 16
3.1.5 geonet—a geosynthetic consisting of integrally con- tests should then be conducted to determine if there is a
nected parallel sets of ribs overlying similar sets at various statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statistical
angles for planar drainage of liquids or gases. assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias. As a
3.1.6 geosynthetic—a planar product manufactured from minimum, the two parties should take a group of test speci-
polymeric material used with soil, rock, earth, or other geo- mens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are from a
technical engineering related material as an integral part of a lot of the material in question. The test specimens should be
man-made project structure, or system. randomly assigned to each laboratory for testing. The average
results from the two laboratories should be compared to the
3.1.7 geotextile—a permeable geosynthetic comprised
Student’s t-test for unpaired data and an acceptable probability
solely of textiles.
level chosen by the two parties before the testing is begun. If
3.1.8 index test—a test procedure, which may contain a a bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected or
known bias but may be used to establish an order for a set of the purchaser and supplier must agree to interpret future test
specimens with respect to the property of interest. results in the light of the known bias. Refer to Practice D2905,
3.1.9 machine direction—the direction in the plane of the Table 1.
fabric parallel to the direction of manufacture.
6. Apparatus
3.1.10 necking—localized reduction in cross section, which
may occur in a material under tensile stress. 6.1 Grips—A gripping system that minimizes both slippage
and uneven stress distribution is required. Grips lined with thin
3.2 For definitions of other terms refer to Terminology rubber, crocus clothe or pressure sensitive tape, as well as
D4439. file-faced or serrated grips has been successfully used for many
4. Summary of Test Method materials. Air-actuated grips have been found advantageous,
particularly in the case of materials that tend to “neck” in the
4.1 Initially the geotextile is separated from its associated grips, since pressure is maintained at all times. Grip faces shall
material with care. The separated plies of the test specimen are measure not less than 50.8 mm [2.0 in.] wide by no less than
placed into the grips of a tensile testing machine. The grips are 100 mm [4 in.] long, with the longer dimension perpendicular
then separated and the force required to further separate the to the direction of the applied load.
plies is defined as bond strength.
NOTE 1—The force to bend the separated plies is included in the 6.2 Testing Machine—A tensile testing machine with com-
measured force. puter acquisition capabilities conforming to the requirements
for Specification D76/D76M.
5. Significance and Use
6.3 Specimen Cutter—A die 101.6 6 2 mm [4 6 0.08 in.]
5.1 This test method is to be used as a quality control or wide by at least 200 mm [8 in.] long.
quality assurance test. As a manufacturing quality control
(MQC) test, it would generally be used by the geocomposite 7. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
product manufacturer or fabricator. As a construction quality 7.1 Sampling must be performed in a manner that will
assurance (CQA) test, it would be used by certification or provide the desired information. No single procedure can be
inspection organizations. given for all situations. Therefore, Practice D4354 should be
5.2 This test method can also be used to verify if the used as a guide in planning sampling procedures.
adhesion or bond strength varies after exposure to various 7.2 Laboratory Sample—For sampling, disregard the first
incubation media in durability or chemical resistance testing, meter [3 ft] and the last meter [3 ft] of material from the sample
or both. roll. Consider the units in the laboratory sample. For the
5.3 Whatever use is to be associated with the test, it should laboratory sample, take a swatch at a minimum of 30 cm [1 ft]
be understood that this is an index test. in the machine direction by the roll width.
NOTE 2—There have been numerous attempts to relate the results of this
test to the interface shearing resistance of the respective materials
7.3 Test Specimens—Take no specimen nearer the selvedge
determined per Test Method D5321/D5321M. To date, no relationships or edge of the sample than 1⁄20 of the width of the roll, or
have been established between the two properties. 150 mm [6 in.], whichever is larger, from the bonded material.
5.4 Test Method D7005/D7005M for determining the bond Cut strips 101.6 6 2 mm [4 6 0.08 in.] wide and at least
strength (ply adhesion) strength may be used as an acceptance 200 mm [8 in.] long, parallel to the direction under test. For
test of commercial shipments of geocomposites, but caution is geocomposites consisting of geotextiles bonded to both sides
advised since information about between-laboratory precision of the geonet, mark the specimens to differentiate between the
is incomplete. Comparative tests as directed in 5.4.1 are two sides, typically referred to as “Side A” and “Side B.” It is
advisable. important that the test specimens are precision cut with clean,
5.4.1 In the case of a dispute arising from differences in uniform edges so as not to affect the test results.
reported test results when using the procedure in Test Method 7.4 Test Unit—Test five specimens distributed evenly from
D7005/D7005M for acceptance of commercial shipments, the across the width of each laboratory sample in the longitudinal
purchaser and the supplier should first confirm that the tests (machine) direction only. It may be desirable to test specimens
were conducted using comparable test parameters including in the transverse (cross-machine) direction for special pur-
specimen conditioning, grip faces, grip size, etc. Comparative poses.

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NOTE 3—Depending on the application of the geocomposite, transverse cell or fixed grip. This must be accomplished without interfer-
(cross-machine) direction specimens can be tested at the client’s request, ing with the measured force.
but they are not a requirement. NOTE 4—100 mm [4 in.] of separation will require at least 200 mm
[8 in.] of crosshead movement.
8. Preparation of Apparatus
11.6 Repeat steps 11.1 through 11.5 for side “B,” if re-
8.1 Equip the tensile testing machine according to manufac- quired.
turer’s instructions for Tensile Testing Machine- a constant rate
of extension (CRE) type conforming to the requirements of 11.7 Repeat steps 11.1 through 11.6 for each test specimen
Specification D76/D76M. in the test unit.
8.2 Set the machine speed at 305 6 10 mm/min [12 6 0.5 12. Calculation of Results
in./min].
12.1 Calculate the bond strength (ply adhesion) for each
8.3 Readings of force and time shall be taken at a minimum specimen and each side tested (if applicable) as follows. The
rate of 20 readings per second. reporting units shall be N/m [lbf/in.]:
8.4 If necessary, also set the computer to acquire the BS 5 BF/W (1)
readings from 25 mm [1 in.] of separation to 100 mm [4 in.] of
separation. The average force recorded will be used to deter- where:
mine the bond strength. These intervals are defined in typical BS = bond strength (ply adhesion), that is, the test
software programs in terms of crosshead extension, which determination,
would be 50 mm [2 in.] to 200 mm [8 in.] of extension. BF = bond force, the average force in N [lbf] recorded from
25 mm [1 in.] of separation to 100 mm [4 in.] of
9. Conditioning separation, and
W = width of specimen in m [in.].
9.1 Specimen Conditioning:
9.1.1 Condition the test specimens at a temperature of
13. Report
21 6 2°C [70 6 4°F] for not less than 30 min prior to testing.
9.1.2 Accelerated testing conditions for “wet” materials 13.1 The report shall include the following:
may be accomplished by placing the test specimens in water 13.1.1 Reference the Test Method D7005/D7005M.
for 15 min, at a water temperature of 21 6 2°C [70 6 4°F]. 13.1.2 Project, type of geosynthetic(s) tested, product
sample identification, and if applicable, specific side of mate-
10. Test Conditions rial tested.
10.1 Conduct tests in the standard laboratory atmosphere. 13.1.3 Complete sample identification.
13.1.4 The individual bond strength values for each speci-
11. Procedure men and each side tested when applicable, the average (the test
result) and standard deviation of the five test determinations for
11.1 Initiate separation of the plies of the test specimens each direction and each side tested.
manually. 13.1.5 Name and model number of tensile machine used.
11.1.1 Using a utility knife, or some other suitable separa- Include unit number if more than one of the same model
tion device which does not compromise either laminate, initiate numbers.
the separation of the laminated geocomposite at the interface of 13.1.6 Statement when “wet” conditioning was used.
interest (that is, side A or side B, or both). A pair of wide-mouth 13.1.7 A statement of any departures from suggested testing
pliers may hasten this activity and add an element of safety. procedure so the results can be evaluated and used. Add the
Pre-separate the laminated layers a maximum of 50 mm [2 in.] suffix “(Mod.*)” to the test method reference, if there were any
prior to testing. modifications made to the test method, noting the modifica-
11.2 Clamp the separated ends of the test specimen in the tions.
grips on the tensile testing machine using an initial grip
separation of approximately 50 mm [2 in.]. Make certain the 14. Precision and Bias4
ends are aligned with each grip as it is clamped. 14.1 Precision—The precision of this test method is based
11.3 The unseparated portion of each test specimen shall be on an interlaboratory study of D7005/D7005M conducted in
left loose to move around freely. 2014 and 2015. Nine laboratories tested both sides of a
11.4 Bend the rigid ply containing the geonet or other rigid geocomposite material. Every “test result” represents an indi-
component by hand to approximately a 45° angle to the axis of vidual determination. All labs were asked to report triplicate
the grips. test results for each side tested. Practice E691 was followed for
the design and analysis of the data; the details are given in
11.5 Activate the tensile testing machine and record the ASTM Research Report No. RR:D35-1023.
average force in N [lbf] to separate the test specimen from
25 mm [1 in.] of separation to 100 mm [4 in.] of separation at
300 6 10 mm/min [12 6 0.5 in./min]. 4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
11.5.1 Observe the test in progress. If necessary, manually be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D35-1023. Contact ASTM Customer
intercept the rigid component so it does not contact the load Service at service@astm.org.

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TABLE 1 Bond Strength (lb/in.)
Repeatability Reproducibility Repeatability Reproducibility
AverageA
Material Standard Deviation Standard Deviation Limit Limit
x̄ Sr SR r R
Geocomposite Sample - Side A 2.929 0.731 0.927 2.046 2.597
Geocomposite Sample - Side B 5.199 0.924 1.308 2.586 3.664
A
The average of the laboratories’ calculated averages.

14.1.1 Repeatability (r)—The difference between repetitive conditions, that is, accepted as plausible due to random caused
results obtained by the same operator in a given laboratory under normal and correct operation of the test method.
applying the same test method with the same apparatus under 14.1.2.2 Reproducibility limits are listed in Table 1.
constant operating conditions on identical test material within 14.1.3 The terms (repeatability limit and reproducibility
short intervals of time would, in the long run, in the normal and limit) are used as specified in Practice E177.
correct operation of the test method, exceed the listed values
14.1.4 Any judgment in accordance with statements 14.1.1
only in one case in 20.
14.1.1.1 Repeatability can be interpreted as maximum dif- and 14.1.2 would have an approximate 95 % probability of
ference between two results, obtained under repeatability being correct.
conditions, that is, accepted as plausible due to random causes 14.2 Bias—At the time of the study, there was no accepted
under normal and correct operation of the test method. reference material suitable for determining the bias for this test
14.1.1.2 Repeatability limits are listed in Table 1. method, therefore no statement on bias is being made.
14.1.2 Reproducibility (R)—The difference between two
single and independent results obtained by different operators 14.3 The precision statement was determined through sta-
applying the same test method in different laboratories using tistical examination of 54 reported results, from nine
different apparatus on identical test material would, in the long laboratories, on both sides of a single material.
run, in the normal and correct operation of the test method,
exceed the listed values only in one case in 20. 15. Keywords
14.1.2.1 Reproducibility can be interpreted as maximum 15.1 bond strength; geocomposite; laminates; ply adhesion
difference between two results, obtained under reproducibility strength

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