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BRITISH STANDARD

BS EN 918:1996

Geotextiles and geotextile-related products Dynamic perforation test (cone drop test)
Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

The European Standard EN 918:1995 has the status of a British Standard

ICS 59.080.70

BS EN 918:1996

Committees responsible for this British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted to Technical Committee TCI/35, Geotextiles, upon which the following bodies were represented: Association of Consulting Engineers British Geotechnical Society British Polyolefin Textiles Association British Textile Technology Group Chemical Industries Association Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment) Department of Transport (Highways Agency) Department of Transport (Transport Research Laboratory) ERA Technology Ltd. Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors Institute of Asphalt Technology Institute of Wastes Management Institution of Chemical Engineers Institution of Civil Engineers National Rivers Authority Society of Engineers Incorporated

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

This British Standard, having been prepared under the direction of the Sector Board for Materials and Chemicals, was published under the authority of the Standards Board and comes into effect on 15 July 1996 BSI 02-1999 The following BSI references relate to the work on this standard: Committee reference TCI/35 Draft for comment 92/48135 DC ISBN 0 580 26249 9

Amendments issued since publication Amd. No. Date Comments

BS EN 918:1996

Contents
Committees responsible National foreword Foreword 1 Scope 2 Normative references 3 Definition 4 Principle 5 Apparatus 6 Specimens 7 Conditioning 8 Procedure 9 Calculation 10 Test report Figure 1 Example of clamping rings and of guide block use Figure 2 Typical cone drop framework with safety screen Figure 3 Example of cone and guide rod Figure 4 Example of measuring cone Page Inside front cover ii 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 8 8 8 4 5 6 7 Inside back cover

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

List of references

BSI 02-1999

BS EN 918:1996

National foreword
This British Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee TCI/35 and is the English language version of EN 918 Geotextiles and geotextile-related products Dynamic perforation test (cone drop test) published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). EN 918 was prepared as a result of international discussions in which the UK took an active part. This British Standard supersedes BS 6906-6:1990 which is withdrawn. Cross-references
Publication referred to Corresponding British Standard

EN 963:1995

EN 30320:1992 ISO 2854:1976

BS EN 963:1995 Geotextiles and geotextile-related products Sampling and preparation of test specimens BS EN 30320:1993 Geotextiles Identification on site BS 2846 Guide to statistical interpretation of data Part 4:1976 Techniques of estimation and tests relating to means and variances

A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

Summary of pages This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii, the EN title page, pages 2 to 8, an inside back cover and a back cover. This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the inside front cover. ii
BSI 02-1999

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPENNE EUROPISCHE NORM

EN 918
December 1995

ICS 59.080.70

Descriptors: Textiles, geotextiles, mechanical tests, drop tests, perforating tests, perforating strength

English version

Geotextiles and geotextile-related products Dynamic perforation test (cone drop test)

Gotextiles et produits apparents Essai de perforation dynamique (essai par chute dun cne)

Geotextilien und geotextilverwandte Produkte Dynamischer Durchschlagversuch (Kegelfallversuch)

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1995-12-01. CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member. This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions. CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization Comit Europen de Normalisation Europisches Komitee fr Normung Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels 1995 All rights of reproduction and communication in any form and by any means reserved in all countries to CEN and its members Ref. No. EN 918:1995 E

EN 918:1995

Foreword
This European Standard has been prepared by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 189, Geotextiles and geotextile-related products, of which the Secretariat is held by IBN. This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by June 1996, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by June 1996. ISO/CS is presently preparing ISO/DIS 13433 that will deal with the same subject as pr EN 918. According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Gemany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

BSI 02-1999

EN 918:1995

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies the determination of the resistance of geotextiles and geotextile-related products to the penetration by a steel cone dropped from a fixed height. The degree of penetration is an indication of the behaviour of the product likely to be caused by dropping sharp stones onto the geotextile surface. The method is generally applicable to geotextiles and geotextile-related products. The validity of this test for some types of products (e.g. geogrids) should be considered carefully, as the principle of the test may not be applicable for these materials.

5 Apparatus
5.1 Clamping system The clamping system (see Figure 1) shall prevent pre-tensioning of the specimen before, and slippage during the test. The internal diameter of the clamping rings shall be (150 0,5) mm. An example of a clamping system is shown in Figure 1. The clamping rings and the guide block are also shown in Figure 1. 5.2 Frame for supporting the clamped specimen, and a means of releasing the cone from a distance of (500 2) mm, point first, onto the centre of the specimen (see Figure 2). The frame shall be mounted on a hard, non-resilient surface.
NOTE 1 The cone should fall vertically point first. This can be achieved either by using guides which do not limit the rate of fall, or by an appropriate release mechanism ensuring free fall without rotation. NOTE 2 Safety: Figure 2 shows a safety screen to protect the operator from injury by the falling cone.

2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies. EN 963, Geotextiles and geotextile-related products Sampling and preparation of test specimens. EN 30320, Geotextiles Identification on site. (ISO 10320:1991) ISO 554, Standard atmospheres for conditioning and/or testing Specifications. ISO 2854, Statistical interpretation of data Techniques of estimation and tests relating to means and variances.

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

5.3 A stainless steel cone, of 45 tip angle, with a smooth polished surface and a mass of (1 000 5) g including the guide rod, having detailed dimensions as shown in Figure 3. 5.4 Means for ensuring the test specimen is horizontal and the cone axis vertical (e.g. spirit level and adjusting screws). 5.5 Measuring cone with the dimensions given in Figure 4 and with a mass of (600 5) g including grip.

6 Specimens
6.1 Sampling Take specimens in accordance with EN 963. 6.2 Number and dimension of specimens Cut 10 test specimens from the sample, each of suitable dimensions for the apparatus used. If the material to be tested is known to have different characteristics on the two faces, (e.g. physical characteristics or as a consequence of the manufacturing process), then the complete test shall be carried out separately on each face using 10 specimens. The test report shall include details of this extension of the test procedure and separate results for each face shall be given.

3 Definition
For the purposes of this standard the following definition applies. 3.1 hole size the diameter in millimetres of the hole made by the cone in penetrating the specimen

4 Principle
The geotextile specimen is clamped horizontally between two steel rings. A stainless steel cone is dropped, point first, from a distance of 500 mm onto the centre of the specimen. The degree of penetration is measured by insertion of a narrow-angle graduated cone into the hole.

BSI 02-1999

EN 918:1995

7 Conditioning
Condition the specimens, and conduct the tests in the standard atmosphere as defined in ISO 554. The specimens can be considered to have been conditioned when the change in mass of the specimen in successive weighings made at intervals of not less than 2 h does not exceed 0,25 % of the mass of the test specimens.

Conditioning and/or testing at a specified relative humidity may be omitted if it can be shown that the results are not affected.

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

NOTE 1 NOTE 2

This figure is not to scale. Number of screws to suit the clamping rings being used.

Dimensions in mm

Figure 1 Example of clamping rings and of guide block use

BSI 02-1999

EN 918:1995

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

NOTE

This figure is note to scale.

Dimensions in mm

Figure 2 Typical cone drop framework with safety screen

BSI 02-1999

EN 918:1995

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

NOTE

This figure is not to scale.

Dimensions in mm

Figure 3 Example of cone and guide rod

BSI 02-1999

EN 918:1995

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

NOTE

This figure is not to scale.

Dimensions in mm

Figure 4 Example of measuring cone

BSI 02-1999

EN 918:1995

8 Procedure
8.1 Ensure that the clamping rings (see 5.1) are horizontal in the frame (see 5.2) using a suitable means (see 5.4). 8.2 Secure one specimen between the clamping rings of the clamping system free of slack (see Figure 2) (e.g. using a guide block, see Figure 1). Place the specimen and clamping system in the testing machine. 8.3 Release the cone (see 5.3) so that it falls smoothly from (500 2) mm onto the surface of the specimen. Record any unusual occurrences such as the cone bouncing off the specimen and making a new hole on its second fall. In this event measure the size of the larger hole.
NOTE A light dusting of talcum powder on the surface of the specimen can help to indicate the site of the first strike by the cone.

9 Calculation
Calculate the mean hole diameter in millimetres to an accuracy of 0,1 mm and the coefficient of variation in percentage in accordance with ISO 2854.
NOTE If the falling cone totally penetrates one or more specimens resulting in a hole of 50 mm, then the mean and the coefficient of variation should not be calculated. In this case, the individual results should be quoted in the test report, and special comment on this behaviour should be made.

10 Test report
The test report shall include the following particulars: a) number and date of this standard; b) identification of the sample tested according to EN 30320, date of receipt and date of testing; c) conditioning atmosphere; d) mean hole diameter; e) coefficient of variation of hole diameter in percentage; f) any unusual behaviour, such as secondary penetration; g) indication of the degree of anisotropy of the material from observations of the hole shape; h) any deviation from the procedure.

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

8.4 Immediately place the measuring cone (see 5.5) into the hole. Wait 10 s, then measure the diameter of the hole to the nearest millimetre. The value determined shall be the maximum visible diameter of the measuring cone when the cone is in a vertical position. If the material is very anisotropic, i.e. different properties across and along the machine direction, it can be necessary to make assessments of the hole diameter from two or more positions at right angles on the periphery of the cone.

BSI 02-1999

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

BSI 02-1999

See national foreword.

List of references
BS EN 918:1996

Licensed Copy: Mark Wright, Bechtel Ltd, 20 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

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