Designation: D 4632 – 91 (Reapproved 1996)

Standard Test Method for

Grab Breaking Load and Elongation of Geotextiles1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4632; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope D 4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics for Testing3

1.1 This test method is an index test which provides a D 4439 Terminology for Geotextiles3
procedure for determining the breaking load (grab strength)
3. Terminology
and elongation (grab elongation) of geotextiles using the grab
method. This test method is not suitable for knitted fabrics and 3.1 Definitions:
alternate test methods should be used. While useful for quality 3.1.1 atmosphere for testing geotextiles, n— air maintained
control and acceptance testing for a specific fabric structure, at a relative humidity of 65 6 5 % relative humidity and
the results can only be used comparatively between fabrics temperature of 21 6 2°C (70 6 4°F).
with very similar structures, because each different fabric 3.1.2 breaking load, n—the maximum force applied to a
structure performs in a unique and characteristic manner in this specimen in a tensile test carried to rupture.
test. The grab test methods does not provide all the information 3.1.3 cross-machine direction, n—the direction in the plane
needed for all design applications and other test methods of the fabric perpendicular to the direction of manufacture.
should be used. 3.1.4 elongation at break, n—the elongation corresponding
1.2 Procedures for measuring the breaking load and elon- to the breaking load, that is, the maximum load.
gation by the grab method in both the dry and wet state are 3.1.5 geotextile, n—any permeable textile material used
included; however, testing is normally done in the dry condi- with foundation, soil, rock, earth, or any other geotechnical
tion unless specified otherwise in an agreement or specifica- material, as an integral part of a man-made product, structure,
tion. or system.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 3.1.6 grab test, n—in fabric testing, a tension test in which
standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are provided only a part of the width of the specimen is gripped in the
for information only. clamps.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1.6.1 Discussion—For example, if the specimen width is
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 101.6 mm (4 in.) and the width of the jaw faces 25.4 mm (1
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- in.), the specimen is gripped centrally in the clamps.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.1.7 machine direction, n—the direction in the plane of the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. fabric parallel to the direction of manufacture.
3.1.8 For definitions of other terms used in this test method,
2. Referenced Documents refer to Terminology D 123 or Terminology D 4439.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Summary of Test Method
D 76 Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Tex-
tiles2 4.1 A continually increasing load is applied longitudinally
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles2 to the specimen and the test is carried to rupture. Values for the
D 461 Methods of Testing Felt2 breaking load and elongation of the test specimen are obtained
D 1682 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Elongation of from machine scales or dials, autographic recording charts, or
Textile Fabrics2 interfaced computers.
D 1776 Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing2 5. Significance and Use
D 2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens
for Textiles2 5.1 The grab method is applicable whenever it is desired to
determine the “effective strength” of the fabric in use, that is,
the strength of the material in a specific width, together with
the additional strength contributed by adjacent material. There
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-35 on is no simple relationship between grab tests and strip tests since
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.01 on Mechani- the amount of fabric assistance depends on the construction of
cal Properties.
Current edition approved Feb. 22, 1991. Published May 1991. Originally
the fabric. It is useful as a quality control or acceptance test.
published as D 4632–86. Last previous edition D 4632–86(1990).
2 3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.

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

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 D 4632
5.2 The procedure in Test Method D 4632 for the determi- m (39.37 in.) along the selvage from each roll in the lot sample.
nation of grab strength of geotextiles may be used for accep- The swatch may be taken from the end portion of a roll
tance testing of commercial shipments, but caution is advised provided there is no evidence that it is distorted or different
since information about between-laboratory precision is in- from other portions of the roll. In cases of dispute, take a
complete. Comparative tests as directed in 5.2.1 are advisable. swatch that will exclude fabric from the outer wrap of the roll
5.2.1 In case of a dispute arising from differences in or the inner wrap around the core.
reported test results when using the procedures in Test Method 7.3 Test Specimens—Cut the number of specimens from
D 4632 for acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the each swatch in the laboratory sample determined as directed in
purchaser and the manufacturer should conduct comparative Section 8. Take no specimens nearer the selvage of fabric edge
tests to determine if there is a statistical bias between their than 1⁄20 of the fabric width or 150 mm (6 in.), whichever is the
laboratories. Competent statistical assistance is recommended smaller. Cut rectangular specimens 101.6 by 203.2 mm (4 by 8
for the investigation of bias. As a minimum, the two parties in.). Cut the specimens to be used for grab tests in the machine
should take a group of test specimens that are as homogeneous direction with the longer dimension parallel to the machine
as possible and which are from a lot of material of the type in direction and the specimens to be used for grab tests in the
question. The test specimens should then be randomly assigned cross-machine direction with the longer dimension parallel to
in equal numbers to each laboratory for testing. The average the cross-machine direction. Locate each group of specimens
results from the two laboratories should be compared using the along a diagonal line on the swatch so that each specimen will
appropriate Student’s t-test and an acceptable probability level contain different warp ends and filling picks. Draw a line 37
chosen by the two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is mm (1.5 in.) from the edge of the specimen running its full
found, either its cause must be found and corrected or the length. For woven and reinforced nonwoven fabrics, this line
purchaser and the manufacturer must agree to interpret future must be accurately parallel to the lengthwise yarns in the
test results in the light of the known bias. specimen.
5.3 Most geotextile fabrics can be tested by this test method.
Some modification of clamping techniques may be necessary 8. Number of Specimens
for a given fabric, depending upon its structure. Special 8.1 Unless otherwise agreed upon as when provided in an
adaptation may be necessary with strong fabrics, or fabrics applicable material specification, take a number of test speci-
made from glass fibers, to prevent them from slipping in the mens per swatch in the laboratory sample such that the user
clamps or being damaged as a result of being gripped in the may expect at the 95 % probability level that the test result is
clamps, such as cushioning the clamp or boarding the specimen no more than 5 % above the true average for each swatch in the
within the clamp. laboratory sample for each the machine and cross-machine
5.4 This test method is applicable for testing fabrics either direction, respectively.
dry or wet. It may be used with constant-rate-of-traverse (CRT) 8.1.1 Reliable Estimate of v—When there is a reliable
or constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) type tension machines. estimate of v based upon extensive past records for similar
However, there may be no overall correlation between the materials tested in the user’s laboratory as directed in the
results obtained with the CRT machine and the CRE machine. method, calculate the required number of specimens using Eq
Consequently, these two tension testers cannot be used inter- 1, as follows:
changeably. In case of controversy, the CRE machine shall n 5 ~tv/A! 2 (1)
prevail.
where:
6. Apparatus n = number of test specimens (rounded upward to a whole
6.1 Tensile Testing Machine, of the constant-rate-of- number),
extension (CRE) or constant-rate-of-traverse (CRT) type with v = reliable estimate of the coefficient of variation of
autographic recorder conforming to the requirements of Speci- individual observations on similar materials in the
fication D 76. user’s laboratory under conditions of single-operator
6.2 Clamps, having all gripping surfaces parallel, flat, and precision, %,
capable of preventing slipping of the specimen during a test. t = the value of Student’s t for one-sided limits (see Table
Each clamp shall have one jaw face measuring 25.4 by 50.8 1), a 95 % probability level, and the degrees of
mm (1 by 2 in.), with the longer dimension parallel to the freedom associated with the estimate of v, and
direction of application of the load. The other jaw face of each A = 5.0 % of the average, the value of the allowable
clamp shall be at least as large as its mate. Each jaw face shall variation.
be in line, both with respect to its mate in the same clamp and 8.1.2 No Reliable Estimate of v—When there is no reliable
to the corresponding jaw of the other clamp. estimate of v for the user’s laboratory, Eq 1 should not be used
directly. Instead, specify the fixed number of 10 specimens for
7. Sampling and Selection the machine direction tests and 10 specimens for the cross-
7.1 Division into Lots and Lot Samples— Divide the mate- machine direction tests. The number of specimens is calculated
rial into lots and take a lot sample as directed in Practice using v = 9.5 % of the average for both machine direction and
D 4354. Rolls of fabric are the primary sampling unit. cross-machine direction. These values for v are somewhat
7.2 Laboratory Sample—Take for the laboratory sample a larger than usually found in practice. When a reliable estimate
swatch extending the width of the fabric and approximately 1 of v for the user’s laboratory becomes available, Eq 1 will

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 D 4632
usually require fewer than the fixed number of specimens. value below 80 % of the average of all the other breaks shall be discarded.
No other break shall be discarded unless it is known to be faulty.
9. Conditioning NOTE 3—It is difficult to determine the precise reason for breakage of
test specimens near the edge of the jaws. If breaks are caused by damage
9.1 Bring the specimens to moisture equilibrium in the to the specimen by the jaws, then the results should be discarded. If,
atmosphere for testing geotextiles. Equilibrium is considered to however, they are merely due to randomly distributed weak places in
have been reached when the increase in mass of the specimen specimens, the results should be considered perfectly legitimate. In some
in successive weighings made at intervals of not less than 2 h cases, breaks may be caused by a concentration of stress in the area
does not exceed 0.1 % of the mass of the specimen. In general adjacent to the jaws. If this occurs, the specimen is prevented from
contracting in width as the load is applied. In such cases, a break near the
practice, the industry approaches equilibrium from the “as
edge of the jaws is inevitable and shall be accepted as a characteristic of
received” side. the geotextile when tested by this test method.
NOTE 1—It is recognized that in practice geotextile materials are 10.5 Start the tensile testing machine and the area measur-
frequently not weighed to determine when moisture equilibrium has been ing device, if used, and continue running the test to rupture.
reached. While such a procedure cannot be accepted in cases of dispute,
Stop the machine and reset to the initial gage position. Record
it may be sufficient in routine testing to expose the material to the standard
atmosphere for testing for a reasonable period of time before the and report the test results for each direction separately.
specimens are tested. A time of at least 24 h has been found acceptable in 10.6 If fabric manifests slippage in the jaws, the jaw faces,
most cases. However, certain fibers may exhibit slow moisture equiliza- but not the jaw dimensions, may be modified. If a modification
tion rates from the “as received” wet side. When this is known, a is used, the method of modification should be stated in the
preconditioning cycle, as described in Practice D 1776, may be agreed report.
upon between contractural parties. 10.7 If a measure of the elongation of the specimen is
9.2 Specimens to be tested in the wet condition shall be required, the initial length and therefore the measured elonga-
immersed in water maintained at a temperature of 21 6 2°C tion depend upon the pretension applied in placing the speci-
(706 4°F). The time of immersion must be sufficient to wet-out men in the clamps of the machine. In this case, secure the
the specimens thoroughly, as indicated by no significant specimen in one clamp of the machine and apply a pretension
change in strength or elongation following a longer period of to the specimen of approximately 1⁄2 % of the breaking load, or
immersion, and at least 2 min. To obtain thorough wetting, it other initial load specified for the particular material in
may be necessary or advisable to add not more than 0.05 % of question, before gripping the specimen in the other clamp.
a nonionic neutral wetting agent to the water. 10.8 Unless otherwise specified, measure the elongation of
the fabric at any stated load by means of a suitable autographic
10. Procedure recording device, at the same time the breaking strength is
10.1 Test the conditioned specimens in the standard atmo- determined. Measure the elongation from the point where the
sphere for testing in accordance with Section 9. curve leaves the zero loading axis established after preload is
10.2 Set the distance between the clamps at the start of the applied, to a point of corresponding force in millimetres
test at 75 6 1 mm (3 6 0.05 in.). Select the load range of the (inches).
testing machine such that the maximum load occurs between 11. Calculation
10 and 90 % of full-scale load. Set the machine to operate at a
11.1 Breaking Load—Calculate the breaking load by aver-
speed of 300 6 10 mm/min (12 6 0.5 in./min).
aging the value of breaking load for all accepted specimen
10.3 Secure the specimen in the clamps of the testing
results. The breaking load shall be determined separately for
machine, taking care that the long dimension is as nearly as
the machine direction specimens and cross-machine direction
possible parallel to the direction of application of the load. Be
specimens.
sure that the tension in the specimen is uniform across the
11.2 Apparent Elongation—Calculate the apparent elonga-
clamped width. Insert the specimen in the clamps so that
tion at the breaking load or at other specified loads by
approximately the same length of fabric extends beyond the
averaging the values of apparent elongation for all accepted
jaw at each end. Locate the jaws centrally in the widthwise
specimen results. The apparent elongation shall be determined
direction by having the line which was drawn 37 mm (1.5 in.)
separately for the machine direction specimens and cross-
from the edge of the specimen run adjacent to the side of the
machine direction specimens and expressed as the percentage
upper and lower front jaws which are nearest this edge. This
increase in length, based upon the initial nominal gage length
ensures that the same lengthwise yarns are gripped in both
of the specimen. Report this as the apparent elongation.
clamps.
10.4 If a specimen slips in the jaws, breaks at the edge of or NOTE 4—The observed elongation calculated as a percentage of the
in the jaws, or if for any reason attributed to a faulty operation initial nominal gage length of the specimen should be referred to as
the result falls markedly below the average for the set of “apparent elongation.” Because the actual length of fabric stretched is
usually somewhat greater than this initial length due to pull-out of fabric
specimens, discard the result and take another specimen. from between the jaws, elongation calculated on initial length may be
Continue this procedure until the required number of accept- somewhat in error, depending upon the amount of this pull-out.
able breaks have been obtained.
12. Report
NOTE 2—The decision to discard a break shall be based on observation
of the specimen during the test and upon the inherent variability of the 12.1 Report the following:
fabric. In the absence of other criteria for rejecting a so-called jaw break, 12.1.1 State that the tests were performed as directed in Test
any break occurring within 5 mm (1⁄4in.) of the jaws which results in a Method D 4632. Describe the material(s) or product(s)

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 D 4632
sampled and the method of sampling used. 12.1.8 Type of padding used in jaws, modification of
12.1.2 The average grab breaking load for specimens cut in specimen gripped in the jaws, or modification of jaw faces, if
each direction, for all specimens giving acceptable breaks. used.
12.1.3 The average grab percent apparent elongation of 12.1.9 Any modifications of sample specimens as manufac-
specimens cut in each direction, for all specimens giving tured, or test method as described.
acceptable breaks, if required. Identify this as “apparent
breaking elongation,” or “apparent elongation at x lb load,” as 13. Precision and Bias
required by the test specifications. 13.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
12.1.4 Number of specimens tested in each direction. Method D 4632 is being established.
12.1.5 Condition of specimens (wet or dry). 13.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Method D 4632 for mea-
12.1.6 Type of testing machine used. suring the breaking load and elongation by the grab test method
12.1.7 Maximum load obtainable in the range used for has no bias because the value of the breaking load and
testing. elongation can be defined only in terms of a test method.

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