Overview
ISO 10319:2015 - Geosynthetics - Wide-width tensile test - defines an index method for measuring the tensile properties of geosynthetics using a wide‑width strip. The standard covers polymeric, glass and metallic geosynthetics and is applicable to woven and nonwoven geotextiles, geocomposites, geonets, geomats, knitted products, geogrids (with possible specimen-dimension adjustments) and clay geosynthetic barriers. It is not applicable to polymeric or bituminous geosynthetic barriers. ISO 10319:2015 provides procedures to record load–elongation behaviour and to calculate tensile strength, strain at maximum load and secant stiffness for both conditioned and wet specimens.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: Wide-width strip clamped across its full width and pulled in a constant displacement tensile machine until rupture; reduces necking and better represents field behaviour.
- Strain measurement: Use an extensometer with reference points separated by 60 mm (30 mm each side of specimen centre) unless adapted (e.g., for geogrids). Extensometer accuracy: ±2% of reading.
- Strain rate and test speed: Typical target strain rate is (20 ± 5) %/min; low-strain products (≤5% strain) are tested so rupture occurs in 30 ± 5 s.
- Specimen dimensions and preparation:
- Minimum five specimens in machine (MD) and cross‑machine (CMD) directions.
- Typical finished specimen width: 200 mm ±1 mm for many products; woven textiles often cut ~220 mm then fringed to 200 mm.
- Ensure 100 mm between jaws; special rules for geogrids and other open-structure products.
- Apparatus: Constant rate of extension tensile testing machine compliant with ISO 7500-1 (Class 2 or better), appropriate clamps (compressive or capstan), and extensometer.
- Wet testing: Use distilled water (ISO 3696 Grade 3) and a non‑ionic wetting agent (polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ether at 0.05% v/v).
- Output/Calculations: Maximum load per unit width (tensile strength), tensile strain at maximum load, secant stiffness, and singular points on the load–extension curve.
Applications and users
ISO 10319:2015 is used for quality control, product comparison, material selection and design input in geotechnical and civil engineering projects. Typical users:
- Manufacturers and suppliers of geosynthetics (geotextiles, geogrids, geocomposites)
- Independent testing laboratories and QA/QC teams
- Geotechnical and civil engineers specifying reinforcement, drainage or erosion-control materials
- Contractors validating material performance for roadworks, embankments, retaining walls, landfill liners (except polymeric/bituminous barriers)
Practical benefits include standardized tensile strength and stiffness data for design, acceptance testing, and material comparisons.
Related standards
- ISO 7500-1 - Verification of tension/compression testing machines
- ISO 9862 - Sampling and preparation of test specimens
- ISO 10318 - Geosynthetics - Terms and definitions
- ISO 10321 - Tensile test for joints/seams (wide‑width strip)
- ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use
- ISO 554 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning/testing
- EN 10223-3 - Hexagonal steel wire mesh (engineering wire products)
Keywords: ISO 10319:2015, wide-width tensile test, geosynthetics, geotextiles, geogrids, tensile strength, secant stiffness, extensometer, tensile testing machine.
