DURABILITY OF A POLYPROPYLENE GEOTEXTILE IN AN UNPAVED ROAD STRUCTURE

This paper addresses select durability characteristics of a continuous-filament, nonwoven geotextile commonly used in transportation-related applications. Two samples of the geotextile were exhumed from the base of an unpaved road structure located at an industrial site in East Texas. The two samples had been in service for 12 and 13 years, respectively. The samples, together with an unused reference sample manufactured at the same time as the exhumed samples, were subjected to a series of destructive mechanical tests, structural analyses, and examinations via scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical tests included measurements of grab-tensile strength and elongation, burst strength, puncture strength, trapezoid-tearing strength, as well as individual fiber strength and elongation. The exhumed samples retained in excess of 70% of their initial strength and elongation properties. The microstructural analyses included differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy. The results of these tests indicated that some polymer degradation had occurred such as might be caused by oxidation. The extent of the oxidation is not considered significant because scanning-electron microscopy does not show any circumferential cracking on the fiber surface, a feature that occurs when fiber oxidation is extensive. Scanning electron microscopy did show some mechanical damage on the surface of the fibers; however, this may be ascribed more to installation damage than to degradation during service.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1989/1248/1248-001.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=DURABILITY+OF+A+POLYPROPYLENE+GEOTEXTILE+IN+AN+UNPAVED+ROAD+STRUCTURE&author=I.+Peggs&author=L.+TISINGER&author=R.+Bonaparte&publication_year=1989
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309049687
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1248, Geosynthetics, Geomembranes, and Silt Curtains in Transportation Facilities. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Peggs, I D
  • TISINGER, L G
  • Bonaparte, R
• Publication Date: 1989

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 1-12
• Monograph Title: Geosynthetics, geomembranes, and silt curtains in transportation facilities
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1248
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calorimeters; Durability; Electron microscopy; Geotextiles; Infrared spectroscopy; Length; Mechanical tests; Oxidation; Polypropylene; Puncture resistance; Strength of materials; Structural analysis; Tear strength; Tensile strength; Unpaved roads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Degradation; Destructive testing; Elongation
• Old TRIS Terms: Burst strength
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I33: Other Materials used in Pavement Layers;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00495510
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309049687
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 31 1990 12:00AM