CONTENTS

3
Introduction

4
The AASHTO Specification:
A Great Starting Point

6
Common Issues with
Geotextile Property Tables

9
Common Mistakes

12
Woven versus Nonwoven Geotextiles

15
Have Questions or
Need Additional Information?
 INTRODUCTION

Geotextiles play critical roles on many private and public construction

projects. Unfortunately, most engineers receive only a cursory
education in geotextiles. As such, it is commendable that some well-
crafted geotextile specifications exist. However, there are far too many
problematic geotextile specifications.

Poorly written geotextile specifications are creating a host of problems:

loss of valuable time, increased cost, lost revenue and in some instances,
endangering lives. Improper application, incorrect terminology, outdated
methodologies, discontinued products and vaguely written specifications
result in much confusion for those tasked with supplying and purchasing
the geotextiles.

US Fabrics has interpreted hundreds of thousands of geotextile

specifications. Our expertise is geosynthetics and geotextiles its all
we do. The goal of this e-book is to provide guidance for creating well-
written geotextile specifications. A well-written specification assures the
specifiers intent is met and quality, economical geotextiles are delivered
to the jobsite.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 3

 THE AASHTO SPECIFICATION:
A GREAT STARTING POINT
An excellent starting point is the American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Geotextile Specification for
Highway Applications or M288-06(2011). Introduced in 1986, M288
was created by a diverse group of
contractors, geotextile industry
members and transportation agency
representatives. Due to its influence, all
manufacturers offer products that meet
the specification. However, AASHTO
M288-06(2011) is not a design guideline.
It is the engineers responsibility to
choose a geotextile with site-specific
variables in mind.

M288-06(2011) covers six common applications. They are subsurface

drainage, separation, stabilization, permanent erosion control,
temporary silt fence and paving fabric. These should cover the majority
of your geotextile requirements.

Section 8 Geotextile Property Requirements for Subsurface

Drainage, Separation, Stabilization, and Permanent Erosion Control

The majority of applications are detailed in Section 8. Section 9 deals

with silt fence and Section 10 with paving fabrics.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 4

Geotextile Strength Requirements

Table 1 Geotextile Strength Property Requirements is the

starting point of the specification. Table 1 has three recommended
Geotextile Classes or strengths. These offer a guideline of non-
specific installation conditions, with Class 1 representing the harshest
and Class 3 the least harsh.

Table 4 Required Degree of Survivability as a Function of

Subgrade Conditions, Construction Equipment, and Lift
Thickness is a companion to Table 1 when choosing a geotextile
for separation. Table 4 offers detailed site conditions and equipment
pressures to help determine the correct class from Table 1. It includes
a Class 1+ that has yet to be defined by AASHTO. The specifier must
indicate the Class 1+ properties.

Each geotextile class is subdivided according to elongation. Elongation

of < 50% indicates a woven geotextile; elongation of >50% indicates a
nonwoven.

The required hydraulic properties are addressed in the geotextile

requirement (application) tables.

Geotextile Applications

Table 2 Subsurface Drainage Geotextile

Requirements.
Class 2 is recommended as the default
strength. A Class 3 can be specified for trench
drains. While not mentioned, the specification

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 5

can be interpreted to allow for a Class 1 if the jobsite conditions
require a more robust
fabric.

Table 3 Separation
Geotextile Property
Requirements.
The correct class for
separation is based on
conditions described in
Table 4. Table 3 notes
that the permittivity of the geotextile should be greater than that of
the soil. Keep in mind that the geotextile
purchaser rarely has soil information.

Table 5 Stabilization Geotextile Property

Requirements.
Class 1 is the default strength. But the
engineer may specify a Class 2 or 3 based on
field experience or prior field testing. Table
5 also notes that the permittivity of the
geotextile should be greater than that of the
soil.

Table 6 Permanent Erosion Control

Geotextile Requirements.
Class 2 is the default strength for woven
monofilaments; Class 1 for all nonwovens.
However, the engineer may specify a Class

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 6

 2 nonwoven based on field experience, prior field testing or if the
weight of the armor stone and the installation drop height are known.
Notes attached to Table 6 describe the
stone weights and drop heights.

Section 9 Temporary Silt Fence

Requirements.
Table 7 Temporary Silt Fence Property
Requirement describes post spacing,
grab strength, hydraulic properties and
UV stability. Table 1 is not applicable.

Section 10 Paving Fabric

Requirements.
Table 8 Paving Fabric Requirements lists
grab strength, elongation, mass per unit
area (weight), asphalt retention and melting
point. Table 1 is not applicable.

Additionally, the M288-06 appendix includes

construction and installation guidelines and
drawings for many common applications.

How to Use the AASHTO Information in a Spec

Detail the AASHTO geotextile requirement (application) and strength

class you require. Please make sure to note the M288 publication and
revision dates (i.e. M288-06(2011)). If you like, list an example of an
acceptable manufacturers product. Choose carefully. Specifications
abound listing acceptable geotextiles that dont actually meet the
required properties.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 7

Example Spec:
We would suggest writing a spec this way:

Rip-rap fabric shall be: AASHTO M288-06(2011), Erosion Control, Class 1,

>50%.

Acceptable products include: US 205NW as sold by US Fabrics Inc., 3904

Virginia Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227. (800)518-2290.

The M288-06(2011) specification is available for download from AASHTO.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 8

 US Fabrics AASHTO M288-(06) Selection Guide
Below is a guide listing the U.S. Fabrics products that meet the M288-
06(2011) specification. *Default Classes are indicated by red lettering.

AASHTO M288-06 Survivability Class

CLASS 1 CLASS 2 CLASS 3

Geotextile Application Woven Nonwoven Woven Nonwoven Woven Nonwoven

(<50%) (>50%) (<50%) (>50%) (<50%) (>50%)

Subsurface Drainage

% Fines

< 15% US 230 US 205NW US 230 US 160NW US 230 US 120NW

15% to 50% X US 205NW US 670 US 160NW US 670 US 120NW

>50% X US 205NW US 670 US 160NW US 670 US 120NW

Stabilization US 315 US 205NW US 250 US 160NW US 200 US 120NW

Separation US 315 US 205NW US 250 US 160NW US 200 US 120NW

Permanent Erosion
Control
% Fines

< 15% US 230 US 205NW US 230 US 160NW X X

15% to 50% X US 205NW US 670 US 160NW X X

>50% X US 205NW US 670 US 160NW X X

Paving Fabrics US 100P

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 9

 COMMON ISSUES WITH
GEOTEXTILE PROPERTY TABLES
If your specification will detail geotextile properties, the following are the
most common issues regarding property tables.

ASTM Geotextile Test Methods

ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM International)
develops consensus standards aimed at improved product quality
and enhanced safety. Undoubtedly, you are familiar with this
group from specifying a myriad of other construction products. The
geotextile industry in the United States relies on ASTM for useful and
consistent test methodologies. However some of these methods
are misunderstood by the specifying community. Additionally, ASTM
methods are dynamic and can become obsolete, modified or replaced
with newer methods. This section will discuss the common issues
regarding ASTM geotextile methodologies.

Misunderstood ASTM Methods

There are several ASTM methods that cause confusion among specifiers.

Grab Strength (Grab Tensile) [ASTM D4632] and

Wide Width Strength [ASTM D4595]

Grab strength determines the force at which a

geotextile breaks. It is the strength test used for all
nonwovens and many wovens. Often this value is
mistakenly specified as pounds per inch/foot. Since

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 10

4632 does not require force be applied to the whole sample, the
actual measurement is pounds of force.

Wide width strength requires the force be applied

to the entire sample. As such, it is reported as
pounds per inch/foot. Wide width is typically
specified for wovens in critical reinforcement
applications. However it is often misapplied to
nonwovens.

Occasionally, ASTM D5034 Standard Test Method for Breaking

Strength and Elongation of Textile Fabrics is incorrectly referenced
for a geotextile. Always verify you are referencing ASTM geotextile
test methods.

Seam Test Methods [ASTM D4632] and [ASTM D4884]

When specifying seams, it is important to match the appropriate

seam test method to the specified tensile strength method. For ASTM
D4632 Tensile Strength the appropriate seaming test is ASTM D4632.
An area of confusion consists with ASTM D4595 Wide Width Tensile
Strength. The associated seaming test method for ASTM D4595 is
actually ASTM D4884.

Specifications requiring ASTM D4632 Tensile Strength and ASTM

D4884 (often incorrectly listed as ASTM D4595) Wide Width Seam
Strength are common. In particular, nonwoven specifications should
require ASTM D4632 Seam Strength since ASTM D4595 Wide Width
Tensile is not appropriate for nonwovens.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 11

Permittivity [ASTM D4491] and Permeability [ASTM D4491]

Permittivity measures the quantity of water that passes through

a geotextile perpendicular to its surface. The quantity of flow is
measured versus time. This is the hydraulic property to specify for a
geotextile.

Permeability is derived by dividing the geotextile permittivity by the

geotextile thickness. The problem is geotextile thicknesses vary (even
within a single manufacturing run) and nonwoven thicknesses will
decrease under load. Avoid using permeability in your specifications.

Apparent Opening Size (AOS)

[ASTM D4751]

AOS helps assess a geotextiles

soil filtration capability. Glass
beads of various sizes are dry
sieved through a geotextile and the size at which 90% of the beads
are retained is the AOS.

AOS is one of the least understood values. The U.S. mesh size actually
increases as the size of the beads retained decreases. For example,
a 30 U.S. sieve size retains beads of .595 millimeters. A 70 U.S. sieve
size retains beads of .210 mm. Unfortunately, this property is often
specified as no greater than 30 U.S. sieve. The confusion comes
in determining if this means no greater than a number 30 sieve
(eliminating a 70 sieve) or no greater than a .595 mm bead size
(allowing a 70 sieve). To prevent confusion, specify by bead size, not
U.S. sieve number.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 12

Mass per Unit Area (Weight) [ASTM D5261]

The specifying of weight developed as a de-facto

manner of differentiating nonwoven geotextiles. It
was never a meaningful property for determining a
nonwovens ability to perform in most applications.

Nonwoven weight has become de-emphasized in civil applications as

more efficient needling methods and stronger fibers have resulted
in more robust fabrics at lighter weights. For civil geotextiles, weight
is reported as a typical value (mean or average). All other geotextile
values are reported as Minimum Average Roll Value (MARV).

The minimum average roll value is a middle ground between the

absolute minimum and the typical value. The MARV is derived as the
typical value less two standard deviations. A standard deviation is a
measure of the width of the spread of the values, or their variance
(dispersion) from the mean. The standard deviation is determined by
taking the square root of that variance.

Weight is a good indicator of a nonwovens ability to function as a

protective barrier for a landfill liner. In this case, weight is specified as
a MARV value. A MARV weight nonwoven is more expensive because
it requires more fiber to construct than a typical weight nonwoven.
Environmental nonwovens are also packaged in large rolls that are
difficult to handle without proper equipment.

MARV weight is often mistakenly specified on civil projects. Avoid

requiring MARV weight unless you are dealing with a landfill
application.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 13

Discontinued ASTM Methods
ASTM recently discontinued two geotextile test methods that still appear
in many specifications. Geotextile manufacturers no longer test for these
properties.

Mullen Burst [ASTM D3786]

Mullen Burst is a paper test adapted to textiles that determines how

much force is required to rupture a specimen. The sample is literally
blown up like a balloon. The results can vary widely and mullen burst
is no longer recognized by ASTM as an acceptable geotextile test.

Puncture Strength [ASTM D4833]

Puncture Strength is a test more appropriate for

apparel. A sample is clamped while a solid steel
puncture rod is pressed onto it until rupture occurs.
The maximum force required to puncture is the
value reported. It is no longer recognized by ASTM
as an acceptable geotextile test and has been
replaced by CBR Puncture.

New ASTM Test Method

CBR Puncture [ASTM D6241]

CBR puncture strength was developed to

replace ASTM D4833 puncture. CBR puncture
measures the force required to push a flat ended plunger through a
geotextile. The larger size of the plunger provides a multidirectional
force that simulates big stones pressed onto a geotextile.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 14

Outdated or Foreign Standards

Please avoid the use of ISO test methodology. ISO test methods for
geotextiles differ from the ASTM test methods used in the United States.
U.S. geotextile manufacturers do not test to ISO standards.

Also avoid unique or proprietary methodologies such as US Army

Corps of Engineers, State D.O.T or those of a manufacturer. ASTM is the
accepted test methodology for geotextiles in the United States.

One exception is Percent Open Area. ASTM does not currently have a
test method for Percent Open Area. The current accepted methodology
is COE CW-02215 by the Corps of Engineers.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 15

 COMMON MISTAKES
The Frankenspec

Perhaps the biggest specification issue is the Frankenspec. This

beast consists of a list of properties assembled from various product
data sheets, previous specifications or made from whole cloth. The
resulting mix calls for a specialty product that in most instances cannot
be manufactured. In particular, miss-matched strength and hydraulic
criteria are an issue. Another problem is the specification referencing a
national standard but listing properties contrary to that standard. Rely
on national standards or current manufacturers product lines and data
sheets for your geotextile properties. Please keep in mind that some
manufacturing methods are proprietary and result in unique properties
relevant only to that products performance. Be careful when choosing
a manufacturers data sheet as your source document for a specified
product.

Specifying Brand Name

Avoid specifying by brand name only. While US Fabrics website offers

clear information on equals, not all websites do. Most geotextile
distributors lack the knowledge to properly cross reference a geotextile.
A quality specification should include a reference to a well-known
national standard such as AASHTO or a D.O.T.s. Another option is to
include a property table with a list of acceptable products that meet the
tables criteria.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 16

Specifying Outdated Products & Data

The re-use of outdated specifications and product literature is also a

serious concern. Products that have not been manufactured for decades
regularly show up in specifications. Without a reliable way to cross-
reference these products the geotextile supplier is left to guess the
specifiers intentions. Resist the temptation to re-use a specification or
literature from a previous project.

The following are brands that are no longer manufactured:

- BP Amoco - Evergreen Industries Exxon Nicolon Polyfelt - Phillips/

Supac - Synthetic Industries Trevira Webtec Wellman.

Specifying Colors

Almost all geotextiles are produced in black or gray. Some companies

are producing orange geotextiles for use as warning barriers. A few offer
white in very lightweight nonwovens. Other than that, custom colors
are not a realistic option. In the rare case where a custom color may be
available, minimum quantities of at least of 500,000 to 750,000 SF will
be required and the lead times are often extensive. US Fabrics offers an
orange woven and nonwoven warning barrier option.

Unless you are specifying an existing colored product, resist the

temptation to specify a color.

Misuse of Term Filter Fabric

The term filter fabric is misused with regularity in specifications. Filter

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 17

fabric refers to a geotextile used to filter soil from water. Using the
correct AASHTO terminologies such as separation fabric or erosion
control fabric adds another layer of clarity to your specification.

Woven versus Nonwoven Geotextiles

Geotextiles are manufactured in several structures or styles. The most

common are needle punched nonwoven, woven slit-film and woven
monofilament. These different styles are often best suited for specific
applications.

For many applications, both woven and nonwoven geotextiles can

perform well. Due to the elasticity of nonwovens (they stretch or
elongate), they are less efficient than woven slit-film geotextiles for
stabilization and separation applications. However, woven separation
and stabilization geotextiles do not filter well. Unless water is a serious
concern (such as a high water table or a source of constant water
intrusion), woven slit-films are the best option for separation and
stabilization.

The lone exception where a woven is a superior filtration option is rip-

rap or bulkhead applications with fine-grained sands. In this case, woven
monofilament geotextiles perform best. Woven monofilaments have a
high percent open area (POA). Percent open area is the area of distinct,
uniform and measurable openings in a filter fabric. The high POA of a
monofilament woven geotextile assures that both water and problematic
soil particles have direct paths through the fabric. Nonwovens have little
or no percent open area and often trap fine grained sand particles and
clog.

A strong specification is clear regarding which geotextile styles are

acceptable.

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 18

 HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?
We hope you found this guide useful. If you have a specific application
you would like to discuss or require further information, please feel free
to phone us at 800-518-2290 or email us at info@usfabrics.com. We
would love to help. Also please subscribe to our blog. In the future, we
will detail actual problematic specifications and ways to fix them. Happy
specifying!

Guide to Better Geotextile Specifying 19