Designation: D6992 − 16

Standard Test Method for

Accelerated Tensile Creep and Creep-Rupture of
Geosynthetic Materials Based on Time-Temperature
Superposition Using the Stepped Isothermal Method1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6992; 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 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This test method covers accelerated testing for tensile bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
creep, and tensile creep-rupture properties using the Stepped
2. Referenced Documents
Isothermal Method (SIM).
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
1.2 The test method is focused on geosynthetic reinforce- D2990 Test Methods for Tensile, Compressive, and Flexural
ment materials such as yarns, ribs of geogrids, or narrow Creep and Creep-Rupture of Plastics
geotextile specimens. D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
1.3 The SIM tests are laterally unconfined tests based on D4595 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Geotextiles by
time-temperature superposition procedures. the Wide-Width Strip Method
1.4 Tensile tests are to be completed before SIM tests and D5262 Test Method for Evaluating the Unconfined Tension
the results are used to determine the stress levels for subse- Creep and Creep Rupture Behavior of Geosynthetics
quent SIM tests defined in terms of the percentage of Ultimate
3. Terminology
Tensile Strength (TULT). Additionally, the tensile test can be
designed to provide estimates of the initial elastic strain 3.1 For definitions related to geosynthetics see Terminology
distributions appropriate for the SIM results. D4439.
1.5 Ramp and Hold (R+H) tests may be completed in 3.2 For definitions related to creep see Test Methods D2990
conjunction with SIM tests. They are designed to provide and D5262.
additional estimates of the initial elastic and initial rapid creep 3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
strain levels appropriate for the SIM results. 3.3.1 creep modulus—in SIM analysis, the load divided by
1.6 This method can be used to establish the sustained load the percent strain at any given point in time.
creep and creep-rupture characteristics of a geosynthetic. 3.3.2 dwell time—time during which conditions (particular
Results of this method are to be used to augment results of Test load) are held constant between temperature steps.
Method D5262 and may not be used as the sole basis for 3.3.3 mean test temperature—the arithmetic average of all
determination of long term creep and creep-rupture behavior of temperature readings of the atmosphere surrounding the test
geosynthetic material. specimen for a particular temperature step, starting at a time
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as not later than established temperature ramp time, and finishing
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this at a time just prior to the subsequent temperature reset.
standard. 3.3.4 offset modulus method or pointing—data analysis
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the method used to normalize any prestrain in the samples by
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the shifting the origin of a stress versus strain curve to an axis
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- origin of coordinates; that is, to coordinates (0,0).
3.3.5 ramp and hold (R+H) test—a creep test of very short
duration; for example, 100 to 1000 s.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.02 on Endur-
2
ance Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2016. Published February 2016. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D6992 – 03(2015). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D6992-16. the ASTM website.

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 D6992 − 16
3.3.6 shift factor—the displacement along the log time axis predict the long-term creep deformation expected of geosyn-
by which a section of the creep or creep modulus curve is thetics used in reinforcement applications.
moved to create the master curve at the reference temperature. NOTE 1—Currently, SIM testing has focused mainly on woven and
Shift factors are denoted by the symbol AT when the displace- knitted geogrids and woven geotextiles made from polyester, aramid,
polyaramid, poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) and polypropylene yarns and
ments are generally to shorter times (attenuation) or the symbol narrow strips. Additional correlation studies on other materials are needed.
AT when the displacements are generally to longer times
(acceleration). 5.4 Creep rupture test data are used to develop a regression
line relating creep stress to rupture time. These results predict
3.3.7 stepped isothermal method (SIM)—a method of expo- the long term rupture strength expected for geosynthetics in
sure that uses temperature steps and dwell times to accelerate reinforcement applications.
creep response of a material being tested under load.
5.5 Tensile testing is used to establish the ultimate tensile
3.3.8 tensile creep—time-dependent deformation that oc-
strength (TULT) of a material and to determine elastic stress,
curs when a specimen is subjected to a constant tensile load.
strain and variations thereof for SIM tests.
3.3.9 tensile creep-rupture—time dependent rupture that
5.6 Ramp and Hold (R+H) testing is done to establish the
terminates a creep test at high stress levels.
range of creep strains experienced in the brief period of very
3.3.10 time-temperature superposition—the practice of rapid response following the peak of the load ramp.
shifting viscoelastic response curves obtained at different
temperatures along a horizontal log time axis so as to achieve 6. Apparatus
a master curve covering an extended range of time.
6.1 Grips—Grips for SIM and R+H tests should be the same
3.3.11 ultimate tensile strength (TULT)—short term strength as the grips for ultimate strength tensile tests. Neither slippage
value used to normalize creep rupture strengths. nor excessive stress causing premature rupture should be
3.3.12 viscoelastic response—refers to polymeric creep, allowed to occur.
strain, stress relaxation or a combination thereof. 6.2 Testing Machine—A universal testing machine or a
4. Summary of Test Method dead-weight loading system with the following capabilities and
accessories shall be used for testing.
4.1 SIM—A procedure whereby specified temperature steps
6.2.1 Load measurement and control,
and dwell times are used to accelerate viscoelastic creep
6.2.2 Strain measurement and control,
characteristics during which strain and load are monitored as a
6.2.3 Time measurement,
function of time.
6.2.4 Environmental temperature chamber to facilitate con-
4.1.1 Tensile Creep—Constant tensile load in conjunction
trol of test conditions,
with specified temperature steps and dwell times are used to
6.2.4.1 Temperature measurement and control facilities,
accelerate creep strain response.
6.2.5 Other environmental measurement and control, and
4.1.2 Tensile Creep-Rupture—A tensile creep test where
6.2.6 Computer data acquisition and control.
high stress levels are used during testing to ensure rupture,
while specified temperature steps and dwell times are used to 7. Sampling
accelerate creep strain response characteristics. Strain is moni-
tored as a function of time. 7.1 The specimens used for tensile, R+H and SIM tests
should all be taken from the same sample.
4.2 Tensile Tests—Test specimens are rapidly loaded over a
short period to achieve rupture. The selection of a suitable 7.2 Remove sufficient test specimens for tensile testing in
tensile test is dependent upon the type of material tested (see accordance with the selected tensile testing procedure (see
Section 8). Tensile tests to support creep and creep-rupture Section 8).
tests are performed under the same control of loading or strain 7.3 Remove one test specimen from the sample for each
rate as used to load or strain the test specimens during creep or SIM test.
creep rupture tests. 7.4 Remove one test specimen from the sample for each
4.3 R+H—Test specimens are ramp loaded at a predeter- R+H test.
mined loading rate to a predetermined load and held under
constant load (short term creep test). 8. Test Specimens
5. Significance and Use 8.1 Geogrid specimens should be single ribs, unless other-
wise agreed upon.
5.1 Use of the Stepped Isothermal Method decreases the
time required for creep to occur and the obtaining of the 8.2 Yarn specimens of geogrids or geotextiles should be
associated data. single ply or multiple ply strands, unless otherwise agreed
upon.
5.2 The statements set forth in 1.6 are very important in the
context of significance and use, as well as scope of the 8.3 Geotextile specimens should be 50 mm wide strips,
standard. unless otherwise agreed upon.
NOTE 2—Single geogrid ribs and narrow strip specimens are preferred
5.3 Creep test data are used to calculate the creep modulus to determine the effect of applied load on the tensile creep properties of the
of materials as a function of time. These data are then used to material separate from the effect of sample width on the tensile properties

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 D6992 − 16
of the material. However, correlation between narrow geotextile strips or not known. Successful tests with some materials have been run with
single geogrid ribs to wider representative specimens should be estab- temperature ramp times of up to four minutes.
lished.
10.4 Test temperatures are to be maintained within 61.0°C
8.4 The length of the test specimen is determined by the of the mean achieved temperature.
type of grip used. Refer to specific tensile test procedure for 10.4.1 Temperature steps and dwell times must be such that
guidance. the steady state creep rate at the beginning of a new step is not
8.5 Number of Tests: so different from that of the previous that it cannot be
8.5.1 A single specimen is usually sufficient to define a established within the identified ramp time.
master creep or relaxation curve using the SIM. However, if
only a single SIM test is to be performed, the location of the 11. Procedures
onset of creep strain or modulus curve should be confirmed 11.1 The same or similar load or strain control shall be
using at least two short term creep (R+H) tests. applied to the tensile tests and the load ramp portion of R+H
8.5.2 Generally 12 to 18 specimens are needed to define a and SIM (creep and creep-rupture) tests. The load rate control
stress-rupture curve representing multiple rupture times. Fewer (in units of kN per min) that is applied shall achieve a narrow
specimens would be needed to define a specific region of the range of strain rates expressed in percent per minute, as agreed
curve, for example the percent TULT at 1 × 106 h (= 110 year) upon. Generally 10 6 3 % per min (or 20 6 3 % per min for
rupture life. European practice) will be satisfactory.
NOTE 4—A linear ramp of load versus time will not generally result in
9. Conditioning a linear strain versus time relationship because stress versus strain curves
are not linear for most geosynthetic materials.
9.1 Tensile and SIM testing shall be conducted using 20 6
1°C as the reference or temperature standard. If the laboratory 11.2 Achieve the test loads for R+H and SIM tests within
is not within this range, perform tensile tests in a suitable 62 % of the target loads, and maintain any achieved load
environmental chamber capable of controlled cooling and within 60.5 % of its values for the duration of the test. A brief
heating. The environmental chamber should have a program- overshoot of the target load that is within 62 % of the target
mable or set-point controller so as to maintain temperature to load and limited to a 1 to 2 s time duration is acceptable for
20 6 1°C. When agreed to, a reference temperature other than load control systems.
20°C can be utilized. Also, when agreed to, the results of 11.3 Replicate test loads for R+H and SIM tests should be
testing under this standard can be shifted from one reference within 60.5 % of the average of the achieved loads for a test
temperature to another. set.
9.2 Allow the specimen adequate time to come to tempera- 11.4 Pretensioning up in accordance with the governing
ture equilibrium in the laboratory or environmental chamber. tensile test is acceptable. The method used to define zero strain
Generally this can be accomplished within a few hours (see is to be identified and reported.
Note 3). 11.5 The same or similar grips shall be used for tensile,
9.3 Record the relative humidity in the laboratory or envi- R+H and SIM tests. Care should be taken to use grips that do
ronmental chamber for all tests. not initiate failure or incur slippage at stress levels which may
produce specimen rupture (for example, at loads greater than
10. Selection of Test Conditions 55 % of TULT for polyester).
10.1 The standard environment for testing is dry, since the 11.6 Inspect grips to ensure loading surfaces are clean and
effect of elevated temperature is to reduce the humidity of that padding, if used, is free of defects and is secured properly.
ambient air without special controls. 11.7 Inspect the specimen installation to be sure the material
10.2 The standard reference temperature is 20°C unless is properly aligned with the grips and with the loading axis.
otherwise agreed to. The individual reference temperature for 11.8 Ensure that the load cell used is calibrated properly
each SIM test is the average achieved temperature of the first such that it will accurately measure the range of tensile loads
isothermal dwell. anticipated.
10.3 Testing temperatures are to be within 62°C of the
NOTE 5—The complete heating sequence (i.e., 7 to 8 cycles of 10 000
target test temperatures. It is critically important that the test seconds each, using the temperature steps defined below) shall be run with
specimen has equilibrated throughout its thickness so as to all the apparatus components installed, but without any specimen, before
avoid nonisothermal conditions. Initial trials are necessary to running the actual test. The measurement given by the load cell shall be
establish this minimum equilibrium time. analyzed to verify it is not influenced by the heat transferred to the load
NOTE 3—Laboratory experience has suggested that the use of calibrated cell during the test through connectors, hot air flow or any other reason.
thermocouples located near, affixed to or embedded within the test This observation is specific to each load cell, connector, adaptor, and
specimen may facilitate a successful temperature compliance test for the clamping system used in a specific configuration.
specimen material. It is suggested that the laboratory perform the planned 11.9 Ensure that the extensometer used (if any) is calibrated
SIM temperature steps using an unloaded sacrificial test specimen and, properly such that it will accurately measure the range of
with the use of these thermocouples, measure the temperature change of
the specimen at its thickest or most mass-dense region. The time required tensile strains anticipated. If rupture is anticipated, take pre-
for the specimen to reach the target temperature is recorded and used as cautions to ensure that the rupture event will not damage the
the minimum dwell time. The upper limit of the temperature ramp time is extensometer or create a hazard for the machine operator.

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 D6992 − 16
11.10 Unless otherwise agreed upon, a 100 mm gauge 12.3 SIM Test Results (see Appendix for Examples):
length shall be used for geosynthetic products and a 250 to 12.3.1 Compute and plot stress and secant (creep) modulus
300 mm gauge length shall be used for precursor yam products. versus strain for each specimen, using the offset modulus
11.11 Time, load and extension data shall be collected at a method to point the curve. Then plot creep strain, creep
minimum rate of two readings per second during the initial modulus, stress and temperature as a function of linear time.
loading ramp portions of tests and a minimum rate of two Inspect these plots to identify that the test objectives were
readings per minute during constant load portions of tests. If achieved.
load is applied by means of dead weights, with or without a 12.3.2 Plot creep modulus (or strain) versus log time after
lever, regular measurement of load after the ramp is not rescaling the elevated temperature segments to achieve slope
necessary. matching as follows: The semi-logarithmic slopes of a modulus
(or strain) curve at the beginning of a higher temperature dwell
11.12 The environmental chamber and temperature cooler
step should be adjusted to match the slope of the end of the
shall be capable of maintaining the specimen temperature
preceding lower temperature by subtracting a time “t” from
within 61°C in range of 0 to 100°C, and of changing the
each of the dwell times of higher temperature steps.
specimen temperature by up to 15°C, within the identified
ramp time (see Note 3). 12.3.3 Re-plot the creep modulus (or strain) versus log time
after rescaling as above and after employing vertical shifts of
11.13 Unless otherwise agreed upon, the temperature steps the modulus (or strain) data for each elevated temperature to
for SIM applied to polyester geosynthetics shall not exceed account for system thermal expansion.
14°C, The temperature steps for polyolefin geosynthetics shall 12.3.4 Report the creep modulus and strain versus log time
not exceed 7°C. curves as rescaled and vertically shifted above and after
NOTE 6—Examples that have been successful are a 14°C step with a
10 000 s dwell for PET, and a 7°C step with a 10 000 s dwell for HDPE. employing horizontal shifts of the elevated temperature dwell
segments to the right of the initial reference temperature dwell
11.14 Unless otherwise agreed upon, the isothermal dwell segment. The result of this final manipulation should be a
time for all SIM tests shall not be less than 10 000 s. Unless smooth master curve for each specimen subjected to SIM.
otherwise agreed upon, the total time for SIM tests not Identify ruptures, if any, at the termination of the master curve.
terminated in rupture shall not be less than 60 000 s.
12.3.5 The rescaling, vertical shifting and horizontal shift-
11.15 The temperature data acquisition rate during SIM ing steps generally require some iteration to achieve smooth
shall be a minimum of once per minute. master curves.
11.16 If desired, accelerated tensile property tests can be 12.3.6 Prepare a plot of the logarithm of the cumulative shift
conducted in liquid, vapor, or gaseous mixtures to simulate factor versus temperature.
unique environmental exposures. 12.3.7 For a creep rupture test series, plot rupture stress as
a percentage of (TULT) versus log (accelerated) time to rupture.
12. Calculation Perform linear regression analysis on the data set, selecting
12.1 Tensile Results: time as the dependent variable. If specified, compute the 90 %
12.1.1 Calculate the tensile strength (TULT) and elongation or 95 % one-sided confidence limits for the creep rupture data.
of the sample. 12.3.8 If specified, determine the instability strain limit
12.1.2 Plot stress and secant modulus versus strain. It is (strain and time) as the onset of tertiary creep for each
recommended that the offset modulus method be used to creep-rupture data point and plot this strain value versus log
“point” the curves. (accelerated) time to instability strain.
NOTE 7—The offset modulus method is described in Test Method 12.3.9 Compute the mean temperature and a measure of
D4595, Appendix X2 and has been used in a number of examples in temperature variation such as standard deviation or extreme
Thornton, J. S., Sprague, C. J., Kloupmaker, J., and Wedding, D. B., “The values for each temperature step.
Relationship of Creep Curves to Rapid Loading Stress-Strain Curves for
Polyester Geogrids,” Geosynthetics ’99, Vol. 01.2, Industrial Fabrics
Association International, Roseville, MN, April 28-30, 1999, pp. 735-744. 13. Report (see Appendix for Examples)
12.1.3 Compute the stress levels to be achieved in R+H and 13.1 Report the material type and structure along with the
creep and creep rupture tests in percent of UTS. brand name and style nomenclature and the structure (yarn, rib,
12.1.4 When specified, identify the range of elastic strains fabric strip, etc.) of the geosynthetic product. Report the tensile
that correspond with the stress levels to be achieved in R+H, strength of the product. If the tensile strength value is provided
creep and creep-rupture tests. by the manufacturer then this should be so stated.
12.2 Ramp and Hold (R+H) Results: 13.2 Document the tests performed and the electronic data
12.2.1 Plot stress and secant (creep) modulus versus strain, files wherein original data is stored.
and strain and secant (creep) modulus versus linear and log
13.3 Complete and provide the graphs specified in Section
time. Use the offset modulus method to point the curves as
12, and provide tables for creep-rupture values.
described in 12.1.2.
12.2.2 Identify the elastic strains at the ramp peaks and the 13.4 Results generated under this standard shall be stated as
initial rapid creep strain levels for comparison to the ramp and having been measured by SIM testing protocol per this test
initial creep portions of the SIM results. method.

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14. Keywords
14.1 creep; creep-rupture; geosynthetics; ramp and hold
test; rapid loading tensile test; stepped isothermal method;
time-temperature superposition

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. Examples of Graphs

X1.1 The following table and graphs are typical of those Figs. X1.1-X1.8 show the results for a polyester yam before
used in the report section of the SIM test procedure. and after scaling and shifting.

FIG. X1.1 Stress and Creep Strain versus Linear Time

FIG. X1.2 Stress and Secant Modulus versus Strain

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 D6992 − 16

FIG. X1.3 Stress and Creep Modulus versus Linear Time

FIG. X1.4 Creep Modulus versus Log Time After Rescaling

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 D6992 − 16

FIG. X1.5 Master Creep Modulus versus Log Time Curve at the Step One Reference Temperature

FIG. X1.6 Master Creep Strain versus Log Time at the Step One Reference Temperature

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 D6992 − 16

FIG. X1.7 Figure X.6 with Re-scaled Y-axis

FIG. X1.8 SIM Temperature Steps versus Time Steps

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