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: D8329 − 20

Standard Test Method for

Determination of Water/Cementitious Materials Ratio for
Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCMs) and
Measurement of the Compression Strength of the
Cementitious Material Contained Within1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8329; 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 The purpose of the proposed test method is to obtain a
water/cementitious material ratio that allows for a practical
measurement of the compressive strength of the cementitious
material contained within a geosynthetic cementitious compos-
ite mat (GCCM). This water/cementitious material ratio should
be generally representative of that achieved practically upon
the hydration of a GCCM. Because GCCM materials do not
involve mixing or the use of exact water hydration methods
when employed in the field, this method is necessary to provide
a quantitative estimate of the water/cementitious material ratio.
1.2 This procedure determines the water/cementitious ma-
terial ratio for a properly hydrated GCCM, which is then used
to create cube or cylinder specimens for compressive strength
testing as per the appropriate referenced ASTM test methods.
Compressive strength results will then be representative of the
strength of the inherent cementitious material found in the
GCCM after normal GCCM hydration.
1.3 The values in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
Values in inch-pound units are in parentheses for information.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
C39/C39M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylin-
drical Concrete Specimens
C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube
Specimens)
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D8030/D8030M Practice for Sample Preparation for GCCM
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 deconsolidation, n—process by which the specimens
are exercised and loosened such that they approximate a
GCCM that has been deployed in the field.
3.2 For definitions of other terms used in this standard, refer
to Terminology D4439.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This method involves measuring the mass per unit area
of uncured GCCM samples, measuring the mass per unit area
of the geosynthetic portion(s), and using this to calculate the
mass per unit area of the cementitious material contained
within the GCCM. This mass per unit area of the cementitious
material is used in conjunction with the mass per unit area of
the cured saturated surface dry (SSD) GCCM to determine the
water/cementitious material ratio representative of a properly
cured and hydrated GCCM. This water/cementitious material
ratio then forms the basis for laboratory preparation of the
same cementitious material for specimens which will then be
tested for compressive strength as per the appropriate ASTM
standard methods.

1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
2
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.05 on Geosyn- For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
thetic Erosion Control. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved June 1, 2020. Published June 2020. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D8329-20. the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
 D8329 − 20
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Hydration is a critical aspect of GCCM installation.
GCCM installations are often hydrated with excess water to
ensure that a saturated condition exists. Therefore, it is not
generally possible to monitor and control exactly the water
addition that absorbs and hydrates the cementitious materials
due the practical methods of hydration in use.
5.2 It is important to be able to distinguish the quality of
cementitious material used in applications for GCCMs. A
measurement of compressive strength properties of the cemen-
titious material is often an accepted method to provide a
measure of the cement strength and quality. The compressive
strength properties will vary with the water/cementitious ma-
terial ratio and, therefore, it is necessary to determine a
practical value that approximates in-use hydration and not a
water/cementitious material ratio that simply provides the
maximum properties but cannot be expected as representative
of actual use conditions.
5.3 The compressive strength of the cementitious material
can be affected by both over and under hydration.
5.4 This method identifies a means to obtain a water/
cementitious material ratio representative of that obtained by
proper hydration of GCCMs to allow replication for laboratory
compressive strength testing for use by GCCM designers,
inspectors, and installers.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Laboratory oven capable of 100 °C and maintaining a
constant temperature within 62 °C.
6.2 Laboratory balance capable of measurement to 60.5 g
accuracy.
6.3 Length measurement device capable of measurement to
62 mm accuracy.
6.4 Cylinder or pipe with outer diameter of between 50 and
75 mm and minimum 300 mm length.
6.5 Absorbent pads or paper towels.
7. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
7.1 Specimens shall be a minimum of 300 mm by 300 mm
square but no larger than 400 mm by 400 mm.
7.2 A minimum of five specimens shall be obtained as part
of this standard to produce average values for the water/
cementitious material ratio.
8. Procedure
8.1 Determination of Geosynthetic Portion(s) and Cemen-
titious Material Portion of the GCCM Mass per Unit Surface
Area:
8.1.1 Prepare a minimum of five specimens of 300 mm by
300 mm dry (uncured) specimens according to Practice D8030/
D8030M, Procedure A. Record the dry (uncured) specimen
weight in grams to the nearest 0.5 g or less. Measure the width
and length of the specimen to 62 mm. Calculate the mass per
unit surface area of the uncured specimens as per Eq 1.
Calculate and average values from all five specimens.
2
Wi
Mi 5 (1)
L 3D
where:
Mi = mass per unit area (g/mm2) of component i,
i = specific component(s) including geosynthetic material,
cementitious material, water, or combinations thereof,
Wi = mass of the GCCM, g,
L = length of the GCCM specimen, mm, and
D = width of the GCCM specimen, mm.
8.1.2 Remove the cementitious material from the specimen
to the largest extent possible and reweigh the vacated specimen
to determine geosynthetic material weight. Removal of the
cementitious mix may be achieved through a combination of
cutting and agitating, but care should be taken to not lose any
geosynthetic material. Record the dry unit weight of the
geosynthetic portion of the GCCM specimen to the nearest
0.5 g or less. Use the dry geosynthetic weight to calculate the
mass per unit surface area (g/mm2) of the geosynthetic material
as per Eq 1. Calculate and average values from all five
specimens.
8.1.3 Calculate the cementitious material mass per unit area
of each specimen by subtracting the geosynthetic material mass
per unit area, as determined in 8.1.2, from the dry specimen
mass per unit area, as determined in 8.1.1. Calculate and
average values from all five specimens. The cementitious
material portion of the GCCM will include all cementitious
materials or dry powders that are intended to be hardened upon
hydration. The cementitious material shall include any
cements, binder, aggregates, fillers, or dry admixtures.
8.2 Determination of Water/Cementitious Material Ratio of
Hydrated Specimens:
8.2.1 Prepare a minimum of five additional specimens of
300 mm by 300 mm dry (uncured) GCCM according to
Practice D8030/D8030M, Procedure A.
8.2.2 Prepare these specimens for hydration by performing
deconsolidation of the GCCM material as described below, to
simulate pre-hydration field installation of the GCCM (that
may disturb the density of powder mix and change its
performance).
8.2.2.1 Tape all cut or non-sealed edges of the specimen to
prevent loss of cementitious material through the sides. It is
anticipated that some cementitious material will be lost during
deconsolidation through the hydration surface, which is typical
during normal use and application.
8.2.2.2 Position the GCCM with the top or hydration
surface facing upward, and then place a cylinder with an outer
diameter between 50 mm to 75 mm diameter and minimum
300 mm in length (must exceed specimen length) on one edge
of the specimen. Then wrap the GCCM specimen around the
cylinder and then unwrap the cylinder. Each specimen should
be wrapped around the same radius individually.
8.2.2.3 Rotate the GCCM specimen by 90° and repeat step
8.2.2.2 so that both the machine and cross-machine directions
of the specimen have been manipulated.
8.2.2.4 Turn the GCCM specimen upside down so that the
hydration face is now down, and repeat steps 8.2.2.2 and
8.2.2.3.
 D8329 − 20
8.2.2.5 Remove the tape from the specimen, being careful to
prevent loss of cementitious material.
8.2.3 Hydrate the specimens for a minimum of 24 h accord-
ing to the hydration procedure in Practice D8030/D8030M.
8.2.4 Determine the saturated surface dry (SSD) mass per
unit area for each specimen as described below.
8.2.4.1 Perform all steps to determine the SSD mass per unit
area within 20 min of removing the specimen from hydration
to minimize water losses of pore water through evaporation.
8.2.4.2 Measure and record the fully saturated weight of the
cured specimen to the nearest 0.5 g after immediate removal
from hydration.
8.2.4.3 Remove all surface water from the specimen by
padding all surfaces with an absorbent media such as paper
towels or absorption pads. Continue padding until the weight
of the hydrated specimen is unchanged by less than 60.5 % by
further padding.
8.2.5 Measure and record the SSD weight (weight of padded
specimen) and the length and width of the specimen. Calculate
the mass per unit area of the SSD specimen. Calculate and
average values from all five specimens.
8.2.6 Calculate the average mass per unit area of water
contained by the cementitious material within the cured GCCM
by subtracting the average geosynthetic material mass per unit
area (8.1.2) and the average dry cementitious material mass per
unit area (8.1.3) from the average SSD mass per unit area
(8.2.5).
8.2.7 Calculate the water/cementitious material ratio by
dividing the mass per unit area of water (8.2.6) by the mass per
unit area of the dry cementitious material (8.1.3).
8.3 Compressive Strength:
8.3.1 Follow Test Method C39/C39M or C109/C109M to
obtain compressive strength of cementitious material using the
above calculated average water/cementitious material ratio. No
additional material other than the cementitious material found
in the GCCM product and the water should be used. Do not
include the addition of additional sands or admixtures. Only
50 mm (2 in.) cubes or 50 mm by 100 mm (2 in. by 4 in.)
cylinders should be used.
9. Report
9.1 Report that the specimens were tested as directed by this
method.
9.2 Report the compression strength, including the follow-
ing information:
9.2.1 Specimen identification (for example, lot number, roll
number, or other traceable identifiers),
9.2.2 Type of GCCM tested,
9.2.3 Curing time,
9.2.4 Water/cementitious material ratio,
9.2.5 Compression method used, either Test Method C39/
C39M or C109/C109M, and
9.2.6 All additional information required by either Test
Method C39/C39M or C109/C109M.
10. Precision and Bias
10.1 Precision and bias have not been developed for this
standard.
11. Keywords
11.1 compressive strength; GCCM; geosynthetic cementi-
tious composite mat; water/cementitious material ratio

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