ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLO GY

(For local calls, dial 02

before the tel/fax nos.)
Tel: (66-2)524-5512
Postal Address: Street Address: (66-2)524-5523
P.O. Box 4 Km. 42 Phaholyothin Highw ay Fax: (66-2)524-6050
Prof. Dennes T. Bergado, Director Klong Luang, Klong Luang (66-2)524-5509
Asian Center for Soil Improvement and Geosynthetics (ACSIG) Pathumthani 12120 Pathum Thani 12120 e-mail: acsig@ait.ac.th
School of Engineering and Technology (SET) Thailand Thailand http://www.ait.ac.th

REPORT ON THE LABORATORY

TESTS OF GEOTEXTILES
Specimen: MXC 20 non‐woven

Submitted to:

Maccaferri (M) Sdn. Bhd. (257846-U) Unit

511, Block G, Phileo Damansara 1, 9,
Jalan 16/11, Off Jalan Damansara,
46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Submitted by:

Prof. Dennes T. Bergado

ACSIG Director
School of Engineering and Technology
Asian Institute of Technology
Km. 42 Phaholyothin Road
Pathumthani Province

3 April 2013
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................i
List of Tables..............................................................................................................................i
List of Figures............................................................................................................................ii

1 BACKGROUND................................................................................................................1

2 GEOTEXTILE CHARACTERISTICS......................................................................................1
2.1 Wide‐Width Strip Tensile Strength........................................................................1
2.2 Grab Tensile Strength.............................................................................................1
2.3 CBR Puncture Resistance.......................................................................................1
2.4 Flow Rate................................................................................................................1
2.5 Thickness................................................................................................................2
2.6 Mass Per Unit Area (Weight).................................................................................2
2.7 Apparent Opening Size...........................................................................................2

3 SUMMARY OF TEST RESULTS.........................................................................................2

4 DISCLAIMER....................................................................................................................3

5 REFERENCES...................................................................................................................4

TABLES......................................................................................................................................5
FIGURES.................................................................................................................................6‐9
APPENDIX

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Measured wide‐width tensile strength values of MXC 20 nonwoven

geotextile Table 2Measured grab tensile strength values of MXC 20 nonwoven
geotextile
Table 3 Measured CBR puncture resistance strength values of MXC 20 nonwoven
geotextile
Table 4 Measured permeability values of the MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile
Table 5 Measured thickness values of the MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile
Table 6 Measured mass per unit area values of MXC 20 nonwoven
geotextile
Table 7 Measured apparent opening size (AOS) values of the MXC 20 nonwoven
geotextile
Table 8 Summary of Laboratory Test Results of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

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LIST OF FIGURES

Fig. 1 Wide‐width tensile test load‐elongation curves of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile

at machine direction
Fig. 2 Wide‐width tensile test load‐elongation curves of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile
at cross machine direction
Fig. 3 Grab tensile test load‐elongation curves of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile at
machine direction
Fig. 4 CBR Puncture Load‐displacement curves of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

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1 BACKGROUND

The design and performance of geotextiles generally vary depending on its functions and
applications. Geotextiles usually function as separator, drain, filter, reinforcement and protection.
Typical applications include subgrade stabilization, subsoil drainage and filtration, reinforced soil
embankment, side slopes and retaining walls and erosion protection. This report presents some index
properties of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile which may help assess its suitability to perform the
desired function and application. The sample was submitted by Maccaferri Asia.

2 GEOTEXTILE CHARACTERISTICS

2.1 Wide‐Width Strip Tensile Strength

This test was conducted in accordance with ISO 10319. A 200mmwide specimen was clamped
across its entire width and an increasing longitudinal load was applied at a rate of 20mm/min until
the specimen ruptured. Measured wide‐width tensile strength values of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile
are presented in Table 1 and the load‐elongation curves in machine and cross machine direction are
shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

2.2 Grab Tensile Strength

ASTM defines grab tensile strength as the strength of the material in a specific width, wherein
only a part of the width is gripped by the clamps. The laboratory test was conducted in accordance
with ASTM D4632 (Standard Test Method for Grab Breaking Load and Elongation of Geotextile). In this
test, a continually increasing load at a rate of 300 mm/min was applied longitudinally to the specimen
and the test was carried to rupture. Measured grab tensile strength values of MXC 20 nonwoven
geotextile are presented in Table 2 and the load‐elongation curves in machine and cross machine
direction are shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

2.3 CBR Puncture Resistance

Puncture resistance is the inherent resisting mechanism of the test specimen to failure by a
penetrating object. The laboratory test was conducted in accordance with ISO 12236. In this test,
a25cm x 25cm specimen is clamped without tension between circular plates of a ring clamp
attachment secured in the tensile testing machine. A flat‐ended radius‐edged plunger is advanced
centrally and normal to and through the test specimen at a rate of 50mm/min. Load displacement
values are obtained through an interfaced computer. Measured puncture resistance values of MXC
20 nonwoven geotextile are presented in Table 3.

2.4 Flow Rate

The water flow through a geotextile is the flow of water through a single layer of geotextile
normal to the plane of the geotextile is measured under specified conditions. The laboratory test was
conducted in accordance with ISO 11058. Measured water flow rate values of MXC 20 nonwoven
geotextile are presented in Table 4.

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

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2.5 Thickness

Thickness is defined as the distance between the upper and lower surfaces of the material,
measured under a specified pressure. The laboratory test was conducted in accordance with
ISO9863‐1. The specimen was placed on the anvil of the thickness gauge and the presser foot was
lowered until the face of the specimen. The load was gradually increased to 0.02 ksc and the reading on
the thickness gauge was taken 5 seconds after the application of the load. Measured thickness values of
MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile are presented in Table 5.

2.6 Mass Per Unit Area (Weight)

Mass per unit area of the geotextile indicates the weight of the geotextile. The laboratory test
was conducted in accordance with ISO 9864 (Geosynthetics ‐‐ Test method for the determination of
mass per unit area of geotextiles and geotextile‐related products.). A sample with a dimension of
200mm x 200mm (40,000 mm2) was weighed using a balance with 0.01 g. accuracy. The specimens
were measured using a 1mm precision steel ruler and was cut in a way ensuring the ends were
perpendicular to the other direction of the specimen. Measure weight values of MXC 20 nonwoven
geotextile are presented in Table 6.

2.7 Apparent Opening Size

ASTM defines Apparent Opening Size (AOS) as the approximate largest particle that would
effectively pass through the geotextile. To determine the AOS, laboratory test was conducted in
accordance with ASTM D4751‐87 (Standard Test Method for Determining Apparent Opening Size of a
Geotextile). The specimen was placed in a sieve frame and sized glass beads were placed on the
geotextile surface. Using a mechanical sieve shaker, the specimen and frame were shaken laterally
for 10 minutes such that the jarring motion induced the beads to pass through the specimen. To
prevent the accumulation of static electricity on the surface of the specimen when the beads were
shaken, static eliminators were attached to the cover of the pan. Measured apparent opening size
values of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile are presented in Table 7.

3 SUMMARY OF TEST RESULTS

The laboratory test results of the properties of the MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile are
summarised in Table 8.

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

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4 DISCLAIMER

The Maccaferri Asia is hereby forewarned that this report covers only the results of the MXC
20 nonwoven geotextile that was received and tested according to the specified ASTM test standards
and testing atmosphere of 23 ± 2oC temperature and 70 ± 5% humidity. This report, however, may
not represent the condition of other products with the same nomenclature. This report will be kept in
the active file for six months after which it will be disposed.

Very truly yours,

Prof. Dennes T. Bergado

ACSIG Director
Asian Center for Soil Improvement and Geosynthetics School of Engineering and Technology
Asian Institute of Technology

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

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5 REFERENCES

ASTM DESIGNATION: D4491. “Standard Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles by
Permittivity.” Annual Book of ASTM Standards.

ASTM DESIGNATION: D4632. " Standard Test Method for Grab Breaking Load and Elongation of
Geotextile" Annual Book of ASTM Standards.

ASTM DESIGNATION: D4751. "Standard Test Method for Determining Apparent Opening Size of
Geotextile." Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
ISO 9863‐1. Geotextiles ‐‐ Determination of thickness at specified pressures ‐‐ Part 1: Single layers.
International Organization for Standardization.

ISO 9864. “Geosynthetics ‐‐ Test method for the determination of mass per unit area of geotextiles and
geotextile‐related products.” International Organization for Standardization.

ISO 10319. “Geosynthetics – Wide‐width Tensile Test”. International Organization for Standardization.

ISO 11058. ” Geotextiles and geotextile‐related products ‐‐ Determination of water permeability

characteristics normal to the plane, without load “.International Organization for
Standardization.

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

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Table 1 Measured wide‐width tensile strength values of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile
Wide‐width tensile strength Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Mean
Strength, N 12.4 10.9 9.5 9.8 10.1 10.5
MD
Elong.at break, % 112 122 65 65 65 86
Strength, N 11.3 11.1 10.0 12.2 9.9 10.9
CD
Elong.at break, % 49 52 42 46 43 46

Table 2 Measured Grab Tesntile Strength values of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile

Grab Tensile Strength Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Mean
Strength, N 790 825 635 788 697 747
MD
Elong.at break, % 87 80 77 80 105 86

Table 3 Measured CBR puncture resistance strength values of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile
CBR Puncture Resistance Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Mean
Strength, N 1,669 1,526 1,520 1,607 1,625 1,589

Table 4 Measured permittivity values of the MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile

Permittivity Test at 50 mm head Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Mean
Permittivity, sec‐1 2.22 2.13 2.29 2.21 2.21
Flow Rate, mm/s 111.0 106.3 114.4 110.4 110.5

Table 5 Measured thickness values of the MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile

Thickness Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Mean
mm 1.36 1.90 1.46 1.72 1.79 1.65

Table 6 Measured mass per unit area values of the MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile
Mass per unit Area Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial4 Trial5 Mean
g/m² 142 147 145 148 148 146

Table 7 Measured apparent opening size (AOS) values of the MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile
Apparent Opening Size Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial4 Trial5 Mean
O95, mm 0.180 0.180 0.180 0.180 0.180 0.180

Table 8 Summary of Laboratory Test Results of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile

Property Unit Test Method Measured Value
Wide‐width Tensile strength
Strength kN/m 11
MD ISO 10319
Elongation % 86
Strength kN/m 11
CD ISO 10319
Elongation % 46
Grab Tensile Strength
Strength N 747
MD ASTM D4632
Elongation at break % 86
CBR Puncture Resistance N ISO 12236 1,589
Permittivity Test at 50mm head sec‐1 ASTM D4491 2.2
Flow Rate at 50mm head mm/s ISO 11058 111
Thickness mm ISO 9863 1.65
Mass per Unit Area g/m² ISO 9864 146
Apparent Opening Size (O95) mm ASTM D4751 0.180

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

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ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Program

Wide‐Width Tensile Strength Test

ISO 10319

Job No: MR13‐51 Date: 26/3/2013

Sample: MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile Tested by: CN
Roll No.: ‐ Checked by: STA

14

12

10 Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
8 Trial 4
Trial 5
LOAD

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

STRAIN (%)

Wide‐Width Tensile Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Mean Std.Dev.

Strength, kN/m 12.4 10.9 9.5 9.8 10.1 10.5 1.03
Elongation, % 112 122 65 65 65 86 25.73

Fig. 1 Wide‐width tensile test load‐elongation curves of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile at

machine direction

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

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ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Program

Wide‐Width Tensile Strength Test

ISO 10319

Job No: MR13‐51 Date: 26/3/2013

Sample: MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile Tested by: CN
Roll No.: ‐ Checked by: STA

14

12

10 Trial 1
Trial 2
8 Trial 3
Trial 4
LOAD

6 Trial 5

0
0 20 40 60 80

STRAIN (%)

Wide‐Width Tensile Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Mean Std.Dev.

Strength, kN/m 11.3 11.1 10.0 12.2 9.9 10.9 0.87
Elongation, % 49 52 42 46 43 46 3.84

Fig. 2 Wide‐width tensile test load‐elongation curves of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile at

cross machine direction

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

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ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Program

Grab Tensile Strength Test

ASTM D4632
Job No: MR13‐51 Date: 26/3/2013
Sample: MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile Tested by: CN
Lot no.: Checked by: STA

900

800

700

600 Trial 1
Trial 2
500 Trial 3
LOAD

Trial 4
400 Trial 5

300

200

100

0
0 20 40 60 80 100120 140160
STRAIN (%)

Grab Tensile Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Mean Std.Dev.

Strength at break, N 790 825 635 788 697 747 70.31
Elongation at break, % 87 80 77 80 105 86 10.06

Fig. 3 Grab tensile strength load‐elongation curves of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile at

machine direction

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

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ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Program

Static Puncture Strength Using a 50‐mm Probe

ISO 12236

Job No: MR13‐51 Date: 26/3/2013

Sample: MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile Tested by: CN
Lot no.: Checked by: STA

1800

1600

1400

1200
Trial 1
1000 Trial 2
Trial 3
Load,

800 Trial 4
Trial 5
600

400

200

0 10 20 30 40 50

Displacement, mm

CBR Puncture Trial1 Trial2 Trial3 Trial4 Trial5 Mean Std. Dev.
Resistance, N 1669 1526 1520 1607 1625 1589 57.87

Fig. 4 CBR Puncture Load‐displacement curves of MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile

ACSIG - Asian Center for Soil Improvement and

APPENDIX
 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Program

Determining Apparent Opening Size(AOS) of a Geotextile

ASTM D4751

Client: MACCAFERRI ASIA Sample No: 1

Sample MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile Date Tested: 26/3/2013
Job No.: MR13‐51 Tested By: CN

Range (mm) Minimum Wt. of Pan Wt. F+G Wt. of Wt. of Pan Wt. of F+G Wt. of beads % retained Wt. Passed % Passed
US Std. Mesh Dia. (mm) (g) (g) Beads (g) w/ Beads + beads retained
0.212 ‐ 0.180 0.212
60‐70
0.212 ‐ 0.180 0.180 453.61 372.35 50 454.98 420.98 48.63 97.26 1.37 2.74
70 ‐ 80
0.180 ‐ 0.150 0.150
80 ‐ 100
0.150 ‐ 0.125 0.125
100 ‐ 120
0.125 ‐ 0.106 0.106
120 ‐ 140
0.106 ‐ 0.090 0.090
140 ‐ 170
0.090 ‐ 0.075 0.075
170 ‐ 200

F=Frame AOS O95 (mm ) 0.180 Data Entered By: STA

G=Geotextiles Date: 26/3/2013
 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering

Determining Apparent Opening Size(AOS) of a Geotextile

ASTM D4751

Client: MACCAFERRI ASIA Sample No: 2

Sample MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile Date Tested: 26/3/2013
Job No.: MR13‐51 Tested By: CN

Range (mm) Minimum Wt. of Pan Wt. F+G Wt. of Wt. of Pan Wt. of F+G Wt. of beads % retained Wt. Passed % Passed
US Std. Mesh Dia. (mm) (g) (g) Beads (g) w/ Beads + beads retained
0.212 ‐ 0.180 0.212
60‐70
0.212 ‐ 0.180 0.180 453.61 370.93 50 459.18 415.36 44.43 88.86 5.57 11.14
70 ‐ 80
0.180 ‐ 0.150 0.150
80 ‐ 100
0.150 ‐ 0.125 0.125
100 ‐ 120
0.125 ‐ 0.106 0.106
120 ‐ 140
0.106 ‐ 0.090 0.090
140 ‐ 170
0.090 ‐ 0.075 0.075
170 ‐ 200
F=Frame AOS O95 (mm ) 0.180 Data Entered By: STA
G=Geotextiles Date: 26/3/2013
 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering

Determining Apparent Opening Size(AOS) of a Geotextile

ASTM D4751

Client: MACCAFERRI ASIA Sample No: 3

Sample MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile Date Tested: 26/3/2013
Job No.: MR13‐51 Tested By: CN

Range (mm) Minimum Wt. of Pan Wt. F+G Wt. of Wt. of Pan Wt. of F+G Wt. of beads % retained Wt. Passed % Passed
US Std. Mesh Dia. (mm) (g) (g) Beads (g) w/ Beads + beads retained
0.212 ‐ 0.180 0.212
60‐70
0.212 ‐ 0.180 0.180 453.61 372.12 50 457.01 418.72 46.60 93.20 3.40 6.80
70 ‐ 80
0.180 ‐ 0.150 0.150
80 ‐ 100
0.150 ‐ 0.125 0.125
100 ‐ 120
0.125 ‐ 0.106 0.106
120 ‐ 140
0.106 ‐ 0.090 0.090
140 ‐ 170
0.090 ‐ 0.075 0.075
170 ‐ 200
F=Frame AOS O95 (mm ) 0.180 Data Entered By: STA
G=Geotextiles Date: 26/3/2013
 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Program

Determining Apparent Opening Size(AOS) of a Geotextile

ASTM D4751

Client: MACCAFERRI ASIA Sample No: 4

Sample MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile Date Tested: 26/3/2013
Job No.: MR13‐51 Tested By: CN

Range (mm) Minimum Wt. of Pan Wt. F+G Wt. of Wt. of Pan Wt. of F+G Wt. of beads % retained Wt. Passed % Passed
US Std. Mesh Dia. (mm) (g) (g) Beads (g) w/ Beads + beads retained
0.212 ‐ 0.180 0.212
60‐70
0.212 ‐ 0.180 0.180 453.61 371.43 50 456.31 418.73 47.30 94.60 2.70 5.40
70 ‐ 80
0.180 ‐ 0.150 0.150
80 ‐ 100
0.150 ‐ 0.125 0.125
100 ‐ 120
0.125 ‐ 0.106 0.106
120 ‐ 140
0.106 ‐ 0.090 0.090
140 ‐ 170
0.090 ‐ 0.075 0.075
170 ‐ 200
F=Frame AOS O95 (mm ) 0.180 Data Entered By: STA
G=Geotextiles Date: 26/3/2013
 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Program

Determining Apparent Opening Size(AOS) of a Geotextile

ASTM D4751

Client: MACCAFERRI ASIA Sample No: 5

Sample MXC 20 nonwoven geotextile Date Tested: 26/3/2013
Job No.: MR13‐51 Tested By: CN

Range (mm) Minimum Wt. of Pan Wt. F+G Wt. of Wt. of Pan Wt. of F+G Wt. of beads % retained Wt. Passed % Passed
US Std. Mesh Dia. (mm) (g) (g) Beads (g) w/ Beads + beads retained
0.212 ‐ 0.180 0.212
60‐70
0.212 ‐ 0.180 0.180 453.61 372.21 50 453.66 422.16 49.95 99.90 0.05 0.10
70 ‐ 80
0.180 ‐ 0.150 0.150
80 ‐ 100
0.150 ‐ 0.125 0.125
100 ‐ 120
0.125 ‐ 0.106 0.106
120 ‐ 140
0.106 ‐ 0.090 0.090
140 ‐ 170
0.090 ‐ 0.075 0.075
170 ‐ 200
F=Frame AOS O95 (mm ) 0.180 Data Entered By: STA
G=Geotextiles Date: 26/3/2013