ASTM D5494-93(2023)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5494 − 93 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for the
Determination of Pyramid Puncture Resistance of
Unprotected and Protected Geomembranes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5494; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 The test method is to be used as an index test to 3.1 Definitions:
determine the pyramid puncture resistance of geomembranes 3.1.1 atmosphere for testing geosynthetics, n—air main-
and, or both, geomembranes protected by nonwoven geotex- tained at a relative humidity between 50 % to 70 % and a
tiles and other puncture-protective geosynthetics. temperature of 21 °C 6 2 °C (70 °F 6 4 °F).
3.1.2 geomembrane, n—an essentially impermeable geosyn-
1.2 The test method measures the increase of the pyramid
thetic composed of one or more synthetic sheets.
puncture resistance due to the use of protective nonwoven
3.1.2.1 Discussion—In geotechnical engineering, “essen-
geotextiles with geomembranes.
tially impermeable” means that no measurable liquid flows
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
through a geosynthetic when tested in accordance with Test
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
Methods D4491/D4491M.
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
3.1.3 geotextile, n—a permeable geosynthetic comprised
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
solely of textiles.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Current manufacturing techniques pro-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
duce nonwoven fabrics, knitted (non-tubular) fabrics, and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
woven fabrics.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.4 For other terms, see Terminology D4439.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Summary of Test Method
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1 A test specimen is clamped without tension between
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
circular plates of a ring clamp attachment secured in a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
compression press or tensile testing machine. A force is exerted
against the center of the unsupported or supported portion of
2. Referenced Documents
the test specimen by a solid steel pyramid attached to a load
indicator until rupture of the specimen occurs. The maximum
2.1 ASTM Standards:
load and elongation recorded is the value of the puncture
D76/D76M Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for
resistance of the specimen.
Textiles
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
5. Significance and Use
Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics 5.1 The pyramid method of puncture resistance is an index
D4491/D4491M Test Methods for Water Permeability of test for the determination of the puncture resistance of unpro-
Geotextiles by Permittivity tected geomembranes or geomembranes protected with non-
woven geotextiles and other puncture-protective geosynthetics.
5.1.1 The purpose of this test method is to establish an index
value of puncture resistance by providing standard criteria and
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of D35.10 on Geomembranes.
a basis for uniform reporting.
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally
5.2 This test method may be used for acceptance testing of
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D5494 – 93 (2018).
DOI: 10.1520/D5494-93R23.
commercial shipments of geomembranes and geomembranes
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
protected with nonwoven geotextiles; however, caution is
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
advised since information about between-laboratory precision
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. is incomplete.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5494 − 93 (2023)
6. Apparatus must be placed on the compression base so that the sealing
system (geomembrane and geotextile) lies flat on it. The
6.1 Test Setup—A compression press with a reading force
aluminum plate shall be reinforced (possibly with a steel plate)
accuracy of at least 2 N (0.5 lb) is necessary. The press must
to prevent bending (Fig. 3).
maintain a constant test speed and should be provided with an
automatic chart recorder for the force-versus-deformation be-
6.5 Loading Piston (Fig. 4)—The loading piston shall be a
havior. A clamping device for the test sample, a special piston,
cylinder with a diameter of 25 mm 6 0.1 mm (1 in. 6
and electrical signal equipment for determining the puncture
0.004 in.) with a polished and hardened pyramid formed apex
load are the additional pieces of test equipment needed. Also,
as shown in Fig. 4. The apex shall be a four-sided pyramid with
a tensile testing machine conforming to the requirements of
an apex angle of 90° rounded off with a radius (R) of 0.5 mm
Specification D76/D76M can be utilized in a compression
6 0.01 mm (0.02 in. 6 0.0004 in.). The edges of the pyramid
mode for this test method. The equipment setup shall provide
shall be rounded off with a radius of 0.1 mm 6 0.01 mm
a constant rate of speed, reading accuracy of at least 2 N
(0.004 in. 6 0.0004 in.). The transitional edge from the base of
(0.5 lb). and be provided with an automatic chart recorder for
the pyramid to the cylinder shall have a radius (R) of 3.0 mm
load versus deformation. Additional equipment required by this
6 0.1 mm (0.12 in. 6 0.004 in.).
test method is described below.
6.6 Electrical Equipment for the Determination of the Punc-
6.2 Clamping Device—The upper and lower fixing ring
ture Load—An electrical circuit is to be employed between the
clamp, dimensions of which are shown in Fig. 1(a) and (b). The
loading piston and the underlying medium (water or aluminum
lower fixing ring shall be provided with a circular recess with
plate) such that puncture resistance load at failure can be
a diameter corresponding to the external diameter of the
determined. The electrical circuit, which is closed at the
compression base. This will facilitate mounting of the lower
moment of puncture, can be connected to a signal lamp and the
fixing ring to the compression base as illustrated in Fig. 2.
puncture resistance load can be recorded at failure.
Concentrically arranged grooves shall be located on the lower
face of the upper ring and upper face of the lower ring to
7. Sampling
facilitate nonslip clamping of the test specimen(s).
7.1 Lot Sample—Divide the product into lots and take the
6.3 Compression Base (Fig. 2)—CBR-type test presses are
lot sample as directed in Practice D4354.
normally equipped with a CBR-cylin
...