USACE / NAVFAC / AFCESA / NASA UFGS-31 05 19 (August 2008)
---------------------------
Preparing Activity: USACE Superseding
UFGS-31 05 19 (April 2006)
UNIFIED FACILITIES GUIDE SPECIFICATION
References are in agreement with UMRL dated January 2009
SECTION 31 05 19
GEOTEXTILE
08/08
NOTE: This guide specification covers requirements for geotextiles.
Edit this guide specification for project specific requirements by adding, deleting,
or revising text. For bracketed items, choose applicable items(s) or insert
appropriate information.
Remove information and requirements not required in respective project, whether
or not brackets are present.
Comments and suggestions on this guide specification are welcome and should
be directed to the technical proponent of the specification. A listing of technical
proponents, including their organization designation and telephone number, is
on the Internet.
Recommended changes to a UFGS should be submitted as a Criteria Change Request
(CCR).
PART 1 GENERAL
NOTE: The "Geotextile Engineering Manual" by the Federal Highway Administration
and "Designing with Geosynthetics" by Robert M. Koerner provide information
on design criteria and example calculations used for the design of geotextiles.
1.1 MEASUREMENT
NOTE: Delete paragraphs MEASUREMENT and PAYMENT when lump sum bidding is used.
Measure the as-built surface area, covered by geotextile, in square meters yards. Allowance will be made for
geotextile in anchor and/or drainage trenches but no allowance will be made for waste, overlaps, damaged materials,
repairs, or materials used for the convenience of the Contractor.
1.2 PAYMENT
Geotextile installed and accepted will be paid for at the respective contract unit price in the bidding schedule.
This unit price will include the cost of materials, equipment, installation, testing, and other costs associated
with placement of the geotextile.
1.3 REFERENCES
NOTE: This paragraph is used to list the publications cited in the text of
the guide specification. The publications are referred to in the text by basic
designation only and listed in this paragraph by organization, designation,
date, and title.
Use the Reference Wizard's Check Reference feature when you add a RID outside
of the Section's Reference Article to automatically place the reference in the
Reference Article. Also use the Reference Wizard's Check Reference feature
to update the issue dates.
References not used in the text will automatically be deleted from this section
of the project specification when you choose to reconcile references in the
publish print process.
The publications listed below form a part of this specification to the extent referenced. The publications are
referred to within the text by the basic designation only.
[ASTM INTERNATIONAL (ASTM)ASTM D 4354(1999; R 2004) Sampling of Geosynthetics for TestingASTM D 4355(2007) Deterioration of Geotextiles from Exposure to Light, Moisture and Heat in a Xenon-Arc Type ApparatusASTM D 4491(1999a; R 2004e1) Water Permeability of Geotextiles by PermittivityASTM D 4533(2004) Trapezoid Tearing Strength of GeotextilesASTM D 4632(2008) Grab Breaking Load and Elongation of GeotextilesASTM D 4751(2004) Determining Apparent Opening Size of a GeotextileASTM D 4759(2002; R 2007) Determining the Specification Conformance of GeosyntheticsASTM D 4833(2007) Index Puncture Resistance of Geotextiles, Geomembranes, and Related ProductsASTM D 4873(2002) Identification, Storage, and Handling of Geosynthetic Rolls and Samples]1.4 SUBMITTALS
NOTE: Review submittal description (SD) definitions in Section 01 33 00 SUBMITTAL
PROCEDURES and edit the following list to reflect only the submittals required
for the project. Submittals should be kept to the minimum required for adequate
quality control.
A “G” following a submittal item indicates that the submittal requires Government
approval. Some submittals are already marked with a “G”. Only delete an existing
“G” if the submittal item is not complex and can be reviewed through the Contractor’s
Quality Control system. Only add a “G” if the submittal is sufficiently important
or complex in context of the project.
For submittals requiring Government approval on Army projects, a code of up
to three characters within the submittal tags may be used following the "G"
designation to indicate the approving authority. Codes for Army projects using
the Resident Management System (RMS) are: "AE" for Architect-Engineer; "DO"
for District Office (Engineering Division or other organization in the District
Office); "AO" for Area Office; "RO" for Resident Office; and "PO" for Project
Office. Codes following the "G" typically are not used for Navy, Air Force,
and NASA projects.
Choose the first bracketed item for Navy, Air Force and NASA projects, or choose
the second bracketed item for Army projects.
Government approval is required for submittals with a "G" designation; submittals not having a "G" designation
are for [Contractor Quality Control approval.][information only. When used, a designation following the "G"
designation identifies the office that will review the submittal for the Government.] Submit the following in
accordance with Section 01 33 00 SUBMITTAL PROCEDURES:
SD-03 Product Data
Thread
A minimum of [7] [_____] days prior to scheduled use, proposed thread type for sewn seams
along with data sheets showing the physical properties of the thread.
Manufacturing Quality Control Sampling and Testing
A minimum of [7] [_____] days prior to scheduled use, manufacturer's quality control manual.
SD-04 Samples
Quality Assurance Samples and Tests
Samples for quality assurance testing; assign [7] [_____] days in the schedule to allow for
testing.
SD-07 Certificates
Geotextile
A minimum of [7] [_____] days prior to scheduled use, manufacturer's certificate of compliance
stating that the geotextile meets the requirements of this section. For needle punched geotextiles,
the manufacturer shall also certify that the geotextile has been continuously inspected using
permanent on-line full-width metal detectors and does not contain any needles which could damage
other geosynthetic layers. The certificate of compliance shall be attested to by a person having
legal authority to bind the geotextile manufacturer.
1.5 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING
Deliver, store, and handle geotextile in accordance with ASTM D 4873.
1.5.1 Delivery
Notify the Contracting Officer a minimum of 24 hours prior to delivery and unloading of geotextile rolls packaged
in an opaque, waterproof, protective plastic wrapping. The plastic wrapping shall not be removed until deployment.
If quality assurance samples are collected, immediately rewrap rolls with the plastic wrapping. Geotextile or
plastic wrapping damaged during storage or handling shall be repaired or replaced, as directed. Label each roll
with the manufacturer's name, geotextile type, roll number, roll dimensions (length, width, gross weight), and
date manufactured.
1.5.2 Storage
Protect rolls of geotextile from construction equipment, chemicals, sparks and flames, temperatures in excess
of 71 degrees C 160 degrees F, or any other environmental condition that may damage the physical properties of
the geotextile. To protect geotextile from becoming saturated, either elevate rolls off the ground or place
them on a sacrificial sheet of plastic in an area where water will not accumulate.
1.5.3 Handling
Handle and unload geotextile rolls with load carrying straps, a fork lift with a stinger bar, or an axial bar
assembly. Rolls shall not be dragged along the ground, lifted by one end, or dropped to the ground.
PART 2 PRODUCTS
2.1 RAW MATERIALS
2.1.1 Geotextile
NOTE: This note contains information from Standard Specifications for Transportation
Materials and Methods of Sampling and Testing, Part I - Specifications, Copyright
1999 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO), Washington, D.C. AASHTO has given permission to use this information.
Values for grab strength, seam strength, tear strength, and puncture strength
for various applications can be obtained from the AASHTO M 288 - Standard Specification
for Geotextiles. The most recent version of M 288 should be used as a reference.
The table in M 288 is divided into three geotextile classes. The severity of
installation conditions for the application generally dictates the required
geotextile class.
The following values for permittivity and apparent opening size (AOS) are from
AASHTO M 288. Values for permittivity and maximum AOS should be compared to
actual values of commonly manufactured products to assure there are a sufficient
number of manufacturers who can meet specifications.
AASHTO M288 PERMITIVITY AND AOS REQUIREMENTS
------------------------------------------------------
SOIL TO BE MINIMUM MAXIMUM
FILTERED PERMITIVITY AOS
------------------------------------------------------
TEST METHOD ASTM D 4491 ASTM D 4751
------------------------------------------------------
UNITS (1/SECONDS) (MM)
------------------------------------------------------
LESS THAN 15 PERCENT 0.5 0.43
PASSING NO. 200 (NO. 40 SIEVE)
------------------------------------------------------
15 TO 50 PERCENT 0.2 0.25
PASSING NO. 200 (NO. 60 SIEVE)
------------------------------------------------------
GREATER THAN 15 PERCENT 0.1 0.22
PASSING NO. 200 (NO. 70 SIEVE)
------------------------------------------------------
The values listed above provide general guidance only. A site specific geotextile
design should be performed especially if one or more of the following problematic
soil environments are encountered: unstable or highly erodible soils such as
non-cohesive silts; gap graded soils; alternating sand/silt laminated soils;
dispersive clays; or rock flour. For cohesive soils with a plasticity index
greater than 7, the geotextile maximum average roll value for AOS should be
0.30 mm (No. 50 sieve).
Compatibility testing should be considered in situations where the geotextile
will be exposed to chemicals which could degrade its physical properties. Refer
to ASTM D 5322 - Practice for Immersion Procedures for Evaluating the Chemical
Resistance of Geosynthetics to Liquids for additional guidance on compatibility
testing.
Geotextiles may also be used to provide puncture protection for geomembranes.
Needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles are commonly used to provide puncture protection.
GRI Report Number 13 - A Design Methodology for the Puncture Protection of Geomembranes
provides guidance on the design of geotextile cushion layers. Typical index
properties for a 350 g/square meter geotextile are shown below:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTION GEOTEXTILE
------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY UNITS ACCEPTABLE VALUES TEST METHOD
------------------------------------------------------
GRAB STRENGTH N 1420 ASTM D 4632
------------------------------------------------------
PUNCTURE N 930 ASTM D 4833
------------------------------------------------------
TRAP TEAR N 555 ASTM D 4533
------------------------------------------------------
MASS/ G/SQ M 350 ASTM D 4751
UNIT AREA ------------------------------------------------------
UV PERCENT 50 AT 500 HRS ASTM D 4355
DEGRADATION ------------------------------------------------------
Apparent opening size and permittivity are not critical properties when specifying
geotextiles used for puncture protection. Seams for protection geotextiles
are generally overlapped a minimum of 305 mm (12 inches). Sewn seams are generally
not used for puncture protection geotextiles.
Provide geotextile that is a [woven] [nonwoven] pervious sheet of polymeric material consisting of long-chain
synthetic polymers composed of at least 95 percent by weight polyolefins, polyesters, or polyamides. The use
of woven slit film geotextiles (i.e. geotextiles made from yarns of a flat, tape-like character) will not be
allowed. Add stabilizers and/or inhibitors to the base polymer, as needed, to make the filaments resistant to
deterioration by ultraviolet light, oxidation, and heat exposure. Regrind material, which consists of edge trimmings
and other scraps that have never reached the consumer, may be used to produce the geotextile. Post-consumer
recycled material [may also] [shall not] be used. Geotextile shall be formed into a network such that the filaments
or yarns retain dimensional stability relative to each other, including the edges. Geotextiles shall meet the
requirements specified in Table 1. Where applicable, Table 1 property values represent minimum average roll
values (MARV) in the weakest principal direction. Values for AOS represent maximum average roll values.
TABLE 1
MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DRAINAGE GEOTEXTILE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY UNITS ACCEPTABLE VALUES TEST METHOD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRAB STRENGTH N [700][_____] ASTM D 4632
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEAM STRENGTH N [_____] ASTM D 4632
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUNCTURE N [250][_____] ASTM D 4833
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAPEZOID TEAR N [250][_____] ASTM D 4533
------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPARENT OPENING
SIZE U.S. SIEVE [_____] ASTM D 4751
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERMITTIVITY SEC -1 [_____] ASTM D 4491
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ULTRAVIOLET
DEGRADATION PERCENT 50 AT 500 HRS ASTM D 4355
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE 1
MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DRAINAGE GEOTEXTILE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY UNITS ACCEPTABLE VALUES TEST METHOD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRAB STRENGTH LBS [160][_____] ASTM D 4632
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEAM STRENGTH LBS [_____] ASTM D 4632
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUNCTURE LBS [55][_____] ASTM D 4833
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAPEZOID TEAR LBS [55][_____] ASTM D 4533
------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPARENT OPENING
SIZE U.S. SIEVE [_____] ASTM D 4751
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERMITTIVITY SEC -1 [_____] ASTM D 4491
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ULTRAVIOLET
DEGRADATION PERCENT 50 AT 500 HRS ASTM D 4355
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1.2 Thread
Construct sewn seams with high-strength polyester, nylon, or other approved thread type. Thread shall have ultraviolet
light stability equivalent to the geotextile and the color shall contrast with the geotextile.
2.2 MANUFACTURING QUALITY CONTROL SAMPLING AND TESTING
The Manufacturer is responsible for establishing and maintaining a quality control program to assure compliance
with the requirements of the specification. Documentation describing the quality control program shall be made
available upon request. Perform manufacturing quality control sampling and testing in accordance with the manufacturer's
approved quality control manual. As a minimum, geotextiles shall be randomly sampled for testing in accordance
with ASTM D 4354, Procedure A. Acceptance of geotextile shall be in accordance with ASTM D 4759. Tests not
meeting the specified requirements will result in the rejection of applicable rolls.
PART 3 EXECUTION
3.1 QUALITY ASSURANCE SAMPLES AND TESTS
NOTE: The need for and amount of quality assurance testing should be based
on site conditions and the amount of geotextile being placed. EPA/600/R-93/182
indicates that a frequency of testing of once per 10,000 square meters (100,000
square feet) has been used in the past for some large waste containment facilities.
3.1.1 Quality Assurance Samples
Provide assistance to the Contracting Officer in the collection of quality assurance samples. Collect samples
upon delivery to the site for quality assurance testing [at the request of the Contracting Officer.] [in accordance
with ASTM D 4354, Procedure B. Lot size for quality assurance sampling shall be considered to be the shipment
quantity of the product or a truckload of the product, whichever is smaller. The unit size shall be considered
one roll of geotextile.] [at a frequency of one per 10,000 square meters 100,000 square feet]. Identify samples
with a waterproof marker by manufacturer's name, product identification, lot number, roll number, and machine
direction. The date and a unique sample number shall also be noted on the sample. Discard the outer layer of
the geotextile roll prior to sampling a roll. Samples shall then be collected by cutting the full-width of the
geotextile sheet a minimum of 1 meter 3 feet long in the machine direction. Rolls which are sampled shall be
immediately resealed in their protective covering.
3.1.2 Quality Assurance Tests
The [Contractor shall] [Contracting Officer will] provide quality assurance samples to an Independent Laboratory.
Samples will be tested to verify that geotextile meets the requirements specified in Table 1. Test method ASTM D 4355
shall not be performed on the collected samples. Geotextile product acceptance shall be based on ASTM D 4759
. Tests not meeting the specified requirements will result in the rejection of applicable rolls.
3.2 INSTALLATION
3.2.1 Subgrade Preparation
NOTE: Reference the appropriate sections for compaction requirements if the
geotextile will be placed on a soil subgrade.
The surface underlying the geotextile shall be smooth and free of ruts or protrusions which could damage the
geotextile. Subgrade materials and compaction requirements shall be in accordance with Section [_____].
3.2.2 Placement
NOTE: For collection ditches, geotextile placed in the direction of flow should
be wide enough to cover the entire width of the ditch. If this is not possible,
the geotextile should be placed perpendicular to the direction of flow and shingled
in the down-gradient direction.
Notify the Contracting Officer a minimum of 24 hours prior to installation of geotextile. Geotextile rolls which
are damaged or contain imperfections shall be repaired or replaced as directed. The geotextile shall be laid
flat and smooth so that it is in direct contact with the subgrade. The geotextile shall also be free of tensile
stresses, folds, and wrinkles. On slopes steeper than 10 horizontal on 1 vertical, lay the geotextile with the
machine direction of the fabric parallel to the slope direction.
3.3 SEAMS
NOTE: Overlapped seams are commonly used for geotextile not placed in tension.
Geotextile seams can also be produced by sewing or the application of thermal
energy. Contact the geotextile manufacturer for installation instructions using
thermal methods. ASTM D 4886 should be referenced for heat seamed geotextiles.
For geotextile placed in tension, seams should be sewn and the stitch type should
be based on the manufacturer's recommendations.
3.3.1 Overlap Seams
NOTE: Seams are typically overlapped a minimum of 300 mm (12 inches). The
specified seam overlap should be greater than 300 mm (12 inches) for soft subgrades
or where large amounts of differential settlement are anticipated. The maximum
overlap is typically 1 meter (36 inches). For soils with a CBR value of less
than 1, seams are typically sewn. Refer to AASHTO M 288 for additional guidance
on overlaps for soft subgrade conditions.
Continuously overlap geotextile panels a minimum of [300] [_____] mm [12] [_____] inches at all longitudinal
and transverse joints. Where seams must be oriented across the slope, lap the upper panel over the lower panel.
If approved, sewn seams may be used instead of overlapped seams.
3.3.2 Sewn Seams
NOTE: The plans and/or specifications should indicate which seams must be sewn.
Seam strength can be specified based on ASTM D 4632 for applications where the
geotextile will not be placed in tension. In this case, seam strength is typically
measured in accordance with ASTM D 4632 and is typically specified to be equal
to or greater than 85 to 90 percent of the grab strength of the geotextile.
If seam strength testing will be required, add seam strength requirements to
Table 1.
The need for quality assurance testing needs to be determined on a site specific
basis and should be based on how critical the project is and the consequences
of failure.
If the geotextile is designed to be in tension, strength testing should be required
and ASTM D 4884 should be used to determine seam strength. Quality assurance
and quality control testing should be performed on all seams that are designed
to be in tension.
Factory and field seams shall be continuously sewn [on all slopes steeper than 1 vertical on [4][_____] horizontal]
[at the locations shown on the drawings.] The stitch type used shall be a 401 locking chain stitch or as recommended
by the manufacturer. [For field and factory seams which are sewn, provide at least a 2-meter sample of sewn
seam before the geotextile is installed. For seams that are field sewn, the seams shall be sewn using the same
equipment and procedures as will be used for the production seams. If seams are sewn in both the machine and
cross machine direction, provide samples of seams from both directions.] [Provide Quality Assurance seam samples
to the Government at the request of the Contracting Officer]. Seam strength shall meet the minimum requirements
specified in Table 1. The thread at the end of each seam run shall be tied off to prevent unraveling. Skipped
stitches or discontinuities shall be sewn with an extra line of stitching with a minimum of 450 mm 18 inches
of overlap.
3.4 PROTECTION
NOTE: The use of staples or pins to hold geotextiles in place should not be
allowed in applications where the geotextile will be located adjacent to other
geosynthetic layers which could be damaged.
The purpose of limiting exposure time prior to covering geotextiles is to minimize
damage due to UV radiation and to prevent direct contact by vehicles, humans,
and animals. To prevent UV degradation, exposure time of polypropylene geotextile
should be limited to 14 to 28 days. Polyester geotextile is more resistant
to UV degradation and may be exposed to UV radiation for at least 28 days without
damage.
Protect the geotextile during installation from clogging, tears, and other damage. Damaged geotextile shall
be repaired or replaced as directed. Use adequate ballast (e.g. sand bags) to prevent uplift by wind. The geotextile
shall not be left uncovered for more than [14] [_____] days after installation.
3.5 REPAIRS
Repair torn or damaged geotextile. Clogged areas of geotextile shall be removed. Perform repairs by placing
a patch of the same type of geotextile over the damaged area. The patch shall extend a minimum of 300 mm 12
inches beyond the edge of the damaged area. Patches shall be continuously fastened using approved methods.
The machine direction of the patch shall be aligned with the machine direction of the geotextile being repaired.
Remove and replace geotextile rolls which cannot be repaired. Repairs shall be performed at no additional cost
to the Government
3.6 PENETRATIONS
Construct engineered penetrations of the geotextile [as shown on the drawings] [by methods recommended by the
geotextile manufacturer].
3.7 COVERING
NOTE: This paragraph should be modified if the geotextile will be covered by
another geosynthetic layer.
If large stones or riprap will be placed over the geotextile, the drop height
of the stones should be addressed in the specifications. At some projects,
the Contractor is required to construct a small test fill to verify his placement
techniques will not damage the geotextile and to determine the maximum allowable
drop height.
Do not cover geotextile prior to inspection and approval by the Contracting Officer. Place cover soil in a manner
that prevents soil from entering the geotextile overlap zone, prevents tensile stress from being mobilized in
the geotextile, and prevents wrinkles from folding over onto themselves. On side slopes, soil backfill shall
be placed from the bottom of the slope upward. Cover soil shall not be dropped onto the geotextile from a height
greater than 1 m 3 feet. No equipment shall be operated directly on top of the geotextile without approval of
the Contracting Officer. Use equipment with ground pressures less than 50 kPa 7 psi to place the first lift
over the geotextile. A minimum of [300][_____] mm [12][_____] inches of soil shall be maintained between full-scale
construction equipment and the geotextile. Cover soil material type, compaction, and testing requirements are
described in Section [_____]. Equipment placing cover soil shall not stop abruptly, make sharp turns, spin their
wheels, or travel at speeds exceeding [2.2] [_____] m/s [5] [_____] mph.