Designation: D7001 − 06 (Reapproved 2011)

Standard Specification for

Geocomposites for Pavement Edge Drains and Other High-
Flow Applications1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7001; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope D4355 Test Method for Deterioration of Geotextiles by

1.1 This specification covers geocomposite drainage panels Exposure to Light, Moisture and Heat in a Xenon Arc
used in highway, turf, and other high volume subsurface Type Apparatus
drainage applications. These products consist of a geotextile D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
wrapped around a polymer core. These products are a mini- D4491 Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles
mum of 25 mm (1 in.) thick and are available in 150 mm (6 by Permittivity
in.), 300 mm (12 in.), 450 mm (18 in.), and 600 mm (24 in.) D4533 Test Method for Trapezoid Tearing Strength of Geo-
widths. textiles
D4632 Test Method for Grab Breaking Load and Elongation
1.2 The requirements of this specification are intended to of Geotextiles
provide a subsurface drainage geocomposite suitable for drain- D4716 Test Method for Determining the (In-plane) Flow
age of surface and subsurface water, sewerage, and leachates. Rate per Unit Width and Hydraulic Transmissivity of a
Products produced in accordance with this specification and Geosynthetic Using a Constant Head
intended for pavement drainage applications shall be installed D4751 Test Method for Determining Apparent Opening Size
in accordance with Practice D6088. of a Geotextile
1.3 The values as stated in SI units are to be regarded as the D4833 Test Method for Index Puncture Resistance of
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information Geomembranes and Related Products
only. D6088 Practice for Installation of Geocomposite Pavement
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the Drains
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the D6244 Test Method for Vertical Compression of Geocom-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- posite Pavement Panel Drains
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- D6364 Test Method for Determining Short-Term Compres-
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use. sion Behavior of Geosynthetics
D6707 Specification for Circular-Knit Geotextile for Use in
2. Referenced Documents Subsurface Drainage Applications
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 2.2 Other Document:
D1777 Test Method for Thickness of Textile Materials AASHTO M288 Geotextile Materials3
D2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Ther-
3. Terminology
moplastic Pipe and Fittings
D3350 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and Fit- 3.1 Definitions:
tings Materials 3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to geotextiles, refer to
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Terminology D4439.
Erosion Control Products(RECPs) for Testing 3.1.2 geocomposite, n—a product composed of two or more
materials, at least one of which is a geosynthetic. D4439
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
3.1.3 geosynthetic, n—a planar product manufactured from
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on Perme- polymeric material used with foundation, soil, rock, earth, or
ability and Filtration. any other geotechnical engineering related material as an
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2011. Published November 2011. Originally integral part of a man-made project, structure, or system.
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D7001 – 06. DOI:
10.1520/D7001-06R11. D4439
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
the ASTM website. Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D7001 − 06 (2011)
4. Classification TABLE 2 Geotextile Properties
Minimum Value Minimum Value
4.1 General—This specification covers geocomposite drain- Property Test Method Class A Class B
age products or structures intended for high flow volume Geocomposite Geocomposite
subsurface drainage applications. Two distinctly different prod- Grab Strength Test Method D4632 700 N 500 N
uct designs are included in this specification, a Class A product Elongation Test Method D4632 >50 % >50 %
Seam Strength Test Method D4632 630 N 450 N
composed of a cuspated or sheet and post core wrapped with a Puncture Strength Test Method D4833 250 N 180 N
geotextile serving as the outer boundary and a drainage fabric, Trapezoidal Tear Test Method D4533 250 N 180 N
and a Class B product composed of a series of small round pipe Permittivity Test Methods D4491 0.5 s-1 0.5 s-1
AOS Test Method D4751 0.25 mm 0.25 mm
connected together or a flat pipe design consisting of a full (max. avg. roll (max. avg. roll
circumference core with the geotextile acting only as a value) value)
drainage fabric. Ultraviolet Test Method D4355 50 % retained 50 % retained
Degradation Breaking Strength at 500 h at 500 h
4.1.1 Fittings covered by this application are normally
molded. Fittings may be fabricated from sections of the NOTE 1—These properties are for the geotextile for the finished product
drainage core by thermal welding. as applied to the core, including the effects of any resin bonding or
4.1.2 Fittings intended to outlet these products often transi- calendaring done to the material. If circular knit geotextile is used, it shall
tion into pipe systems. These transition fittings are included, meet the requirements of Specification D6707. Geotextile properties for
Class A cores are listed as Class 2 in AASHTO M288; and for Class B
but the pipe is not. cores are Class 3 as in AASHTO M288.

5. Ordering Information
5.1 When ordering material in accordance with this
specification, the following should be specified: 6.2 Manufacture and Assembly—The geocomposite shall be
5.1.1 The product size (150 mm, 300 mm, 450 mm, or 600 assembled from the permitted core structures and the geotex-
mm) (6 in., 12 in., 18 in., or 24 in.). tile.
5.1.2 The geocomposite class (Table 2 and Table 3). 6.2.1 Core—The core structure shall be manufactured by
5.1.3 The geotextile component class (Table 2). continuous extrusion and forming and cut to size.
5.1.4 Fittings required. Fittings may be required to couple
6.2.2 Fittings—The core fittings shall be blow molded,
sections together and to provide outlets, typically transitioning
injection molded, rotational molded, thermoformed, or fabri-
to round pipe.
cated by extrusion or hot plate welding.
6. Materials and Manufacture 6.2.3 Geotextile—The geotextile may be knitted, needle-
punched non-woven, or spun-bonded non-woven.
6.1 Basic Materials—These products are composites of two 6.2.4 Assembly—The geotextile must be attached to the
or more materials, typically a drainage core and a geotextile Class A core by heat bonding or gluing; or, for Class B cores,
filter. may be formed into a sleeve and placed around the core. The
6.1.1 Core Materials—Compounds used in the manufacture geotextile sleeve may be seamed by sewing, gluing, or thermal
of the drainage core and fittings shall be polyethylene with a bonding, or may be a tubular knit.
minimum cell classification of 424420C as defined and de-
scribed in Specification D3350. Compounds that have a higher
7. Physical Properties
cell classification in one or more properties are acceptable,
except for density, which must be cell Class 4, provided the 7.1 The geocomposite materials covered by this specifica-
product requirements are met. tion shall have a nominal thickness of 25 mm (1 in.) and a
6.1.2 Reworked Materials—Clean rework material, gener- nominal width of 150 mm, 300 mm, 450 mm, and 600 mm (6
ated from the manufacturer’s own production, may be used by in., 12 in., 18 in., and 24 in.) wide. Product length shall be as
the manufacturer provided that the core and fittings produced agreed to by the customer and the manufacturer.
meet all requirements of this specification. 7.2 The geocomposite products covered by this standard are
6.1.3 Geotextile Materials—Fibers used in the manufacture available in two distinctly different forms, an open core with a
of geotextiles shall consist of long-chain synthetic polymers geotextile wrap that acts as part of the structure as well as a
composed of at least 95 percent by weight of polyolefins or filter, listed as Class A; and a fully enclosed core with a
polyesters. geotextile wrap that acts only as a filter, listed as Class B.

8. Mechanical and Performance Requirements

TABLE 1 Core Properties 8.1 The drainage core shall have the properties shown in
Property Test Method Minimum Value Table 1.
Overall Thickness Test Method D1777 $ 25 mm (1 in.) (Nomi-
(mm) nal) 8.2 The geotextile shall have the properties shown in Table
Compression Strength Test Method D6364 $ 210 kPa (30 psi) (90°) 2.
(kPa) $ 140 kPa (20 psi) (50°)
8.3 The geocomposite shall have the properties shown in
NOTE 1—Table 1 applies to both Class A and Class B cores. Table 3.

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 D7001 − 06 (2011)
TABLE 3 Geocomposite Properties
Property Test Method Minimum Value Class A Minimum Value Class B
Transmissivity (per 300 mm (12 in.) of width) Test Method D4716 $ 0.001 m3/s ($ 0.035 CFS) $ 0.001 m3/s ($ 0.035 CFS)
Vertical Compression Test Method D6244 # 5 % loss of cross sectional area # 5 % loss of cross sectional area
at 4450 N (1000 lbf) at 4450 N (1000 lbf)
Flow Capacity (Vertical position) University of Kentucky >0.001 m3/s (0.03 ft3/s) >0.002 m3/s (0.067 ft3/s)
(per 300 mm (12 in.) of width) In-Plane Flow Test

9. Test Requirements 10.3.2 Class B cores shall have a minimum perforation open
9.1 Compression strength tests per Test Method D6364 shall area of 3250 mm2 per 0.093 m2 (5 in.2/ft 2) of surface area, or
be conducted on full width samples a minimum of 300 mm (12 3.4 % of the surface area.
in.) long. 10.4 Fittings—The inside open area of the couplings and
9.2 Grab Strength, Tensile Strength and Seam Strength of fittings used shall be greater than that of the core. Couplings
the geotextile shall be determined using the test methods shall not damage the core structure.
contained in ASTM D4632. This method is not appropriate for 11. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
knitted fabric. Circular knit geotextile shall meet the require-
ments of Specification D6707. 11.1 The geocomposite material shall consist of a drainage
core and appropriate geotextile covering. The drainage core
9.3 Puncture resistance of the geotextile shall be determined shall be uniform in shape and color, square cut at the ends, and
using Test Method D4833. cleanly perforated. The geotextile wrap or sleeve shall fit
9.4 Trapezoidal tear resistance of the geotextile shall be snugly without sagging into the void areas of the core. The
determined using Test Method D4533. geotextile shall be free of punctures, tears, or separated seams.
9.5 Permittivity of the geotextile shall be determined using
12. Sampling
Test Methods D4491.
12.1 Product may be sampled at the production plant or at
9.6 Ultraviolet degradation resistance of the geotextile shall
the jobsite. Sampling shall be in accordance with Practice
be determined using Test Method D4355.
D4354.
9.7 Transmissivity of the geocomposite shall be determined
using Test Method D4716. Samples tested shall be full width 13. Number of Tests and Retests
and a minimum of 300 mm (12 in.) long. 13.1 Flow capacity and transmissivity tests are product
9.8 Vertical compression strength shall be determined using qualification tests and need only be done at a frequency
Test Method D6244. agreeable to the manufacturer and the purchaser.
9.9 Flow capacity tests shall be conducted on the size and 13.2 Compression testing (Test Method D6364) and mea-
design to be supplied by placing the geocomposite in vertical, surements of thickness, perforations, width, and length shall be
as installed, position with soil pressure of 15 N/cm2 (22 psi) done on every lot.
applied to soil surface above a 2.4 m (8 ft) length and
measuring the flow capacity of the product when flowing full 14. Product Marking
at the inlet. (University of Kentucky Test). 14.1 The product core shall be clearly marked at intervals of
not more than 6 m, and fittings and couplings shall be clearly
10. Dimensions and Permissible Variations marked, as follows:
10.1 Nominal Size—Nominal size for the assembled geo- 14.1.1 Manufacturer’s name or trademark,
composite shall be a minimum of 25 mm (1 in.) thick and 150 14.1.2 Nominal size or height,
mm (6 in.), 300 mm (12 in.), 450 mm (18 in.), or 600 mm (24 14.1.3 Specification designation ASTM X XXXX,
in.) wide. The tolerance on the specified thickness and width 14.1.4 Plant designation code, and
shall be no more than -5 % of the specified value. Measure- 14.1.5 The date of manufacture or an appropriate code.
ments shall be made in accordance with Test Method D2122.
NOTE 1—Tolerance on width is necessary because some core designs 15. Quality Assurance
must be cut to size at specific points in their structural support pattern. 15.1 When the product or product packing is marked with
10.2 Length—These products are extruded and can be sup- the ASTM designation X XXXX, the manufacturer affirms that
plied in any length agreeable to the user. Length shall not be the product was manufactured, inspected, sampled, and tested
less than 99 % of the stated value. in accordance with this specification and has been found to
10.3 Perforations—The drainage cores shall be perforated meet the requirements of this specification.
to permit flow into the geocomposite from both sides of the 15.2 Upon request of the user, the manufacturer shall
structure. provide certification that the product was produced and tested
10.3.1 Class A cores shall have a minimum perforation open in accordance with this specification. Certification shall be
area of 10 % on the least open side. furnished at the time of shipment.

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 D7001 − 06 (2011)
16. Keywords
16.1 edgedrain; geocomposite; geosynthetic; geotextile;
pavement edgedrain; polyethylene; underdrain

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. FLOW TEST/COMPRESSION TEST OF PAVEMENT EDGE PANEL DRAINS—KENTUCKY METHOD

X1.1 Scope X1.3.2 The geotextile covering the core shall be intact.
X1.1.1 This method covers a procedure for determining the There shall not be any tears or punctures, and if the textile is
flow capacity of edge panel drains while under vertical normally glued to the core for a particular design, it shall
compression, and while encapsulated in a sand backfill. The remain glued for this test.
test measures the flow capacity of the edge drain panel while
placed on a 3 % grade and under a 22 psi vertical load. X1.4 Procedure
X1.1.2 Application—This method shall apply to all panel or X1.4.1 The 12 in. tall edge drain sample shall be cut to
fin-type pavement edge drains. This may include but not be approximately 8 ft 3 in.; this will allow approximately 1.5 in.
limited to all cuspated types, those types with posts, types that of material to be caulked into place at each end of the chamber.
are similar to deformed pipe, and any other design.
X1.4.2 The sample shall be placed firmly against wall of the
X1.2 Apparatus chamber and caulked into place, at both ends, to ensure that no
X1.2.1 Flow/Compression Box—The flow/compression box leakage occurs at the inlet or outlet end of the chamber. Allow
must be capable of holding the specimen and sand backfill, and the caulk to cure for at least 24 h before proceeding to the next
it must be capable of supporting a minimum vertical load of 22 step.
psi. The box shall be constructed of clear acrylic sheets,
X1.4.3 Backfill the around the panel drain with the sand.
one-half inch in thickness. The design of the box shall conform
Sand shall be placed approximately 4 inches above the panel
to Figs. X1.1-X1.4.
and densified by flooding the sand with water.
X1.2.2 Sand—A sufficient amount of sand to fill the com-
pression box. Natural sand is recommended. The sand shall X1.4.4 Place the loading plate (Fig. X1.1) onto the sand
have a gradation conforming to the following: surface, and then place the loading jacks onto the loading plate.
Sieve Size Percent Passing X1.4.5 Begin loading the sand backfill and core at a rate of
3⁄8 in. 100
No. 4 90–100 5 psi per minute until the maximum load of 22 psi is reached.
No. 16 45–80
No. 50 5–25 X1.4.6 Fill the inlet reservoir of the chamber until a
No. 100 0–8 one-inch head is reached. The load and the water level shall be
X1.2.3 Load Jacks—The load shall be applied by hydraulic held constant throughout the test.
screw jacks.
X1.4.7 Move the large container listed in X1.2.5 under the
X1.2.4 Load Cells—The load shall be measured by means outlet end of the panel drain and collect the water discharge for
of a series of electronic or hydraulic load cells capable of a period of one minute. Measure the discharge from the outlet
measuring to the nearest 0.25 pounds. end to the nearest 0.1 gallon. Record the rate of flow in
X1.2.5 Large Container for Collecting Water—Water out- gallons/minute.
flow from the sample shall be collected in a container with a
minimum volume of 20 gallons. X1.4.8 Repeat step X1.4.7 ten times, recording the flow rate
each time.
X1.2.6 Stop Watch—A stop watch capable of reading to the
nearest 0.5 s shall be used. X1.5 Report
X1.3 Sample X1.5.1 Report the average flow rate under the conditions of
X1.3.1 The edge drain sample shall be approximately 12 in. the test in gallons per minute. Report the standard deviation of
in height and 8 ft in length. the ten trials.

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 D7001 − 06 (2011)

FIG. X1.1 External Side View

FIG. X1.2 Internal Side View

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 D7001 − 06 (2011)

FIG. X1.3 Inflow and Outflow End Views

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 D7001 − 06 (2011)

FIG. X1.4 View from Above

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