Universal Testing System

The evaluation of the tensile properties of geotextiles is of paramount importance not only in reinforcement application but in all other uses. Important properties include stress-strain behaviour, ultimate strength in uniaxial tension (under different widths), creep, etc.

Recent researches have made it clear that the measured stress-strain behaviour of geotextiles is significantly influenced by details of testing procedures like method of gripping the fabric, rate of deformation, sample size / aspect ratio, initial preload and fabric conditioning. EKE 246 Universal Testing System for Geotextiles enables determination of these properties under a variety of test conditions. The 100 kN capacity system has speed ranges from 5 to 320 mm/min. This machine is supplied complete with EKE 24601 Electronic Measuring System comprising of one 100 kN (10,000 kgf) capacity load cell, one 10 kN (1,000 kgf) capacity load cell and a two channel 3½ digit Indicator.

The following attachments are available for this system at extra cost:

Narrow and Wide Width Tensile Strength Two clamping systems 8 cm wide and 22.5 cm wide are mechanical wedge type and facilitate conducting Narrow Strip and Wide Width Tensile Strength tests as per many international specifications, viz Indian, British, ASTM etc. These grips allow simple and rapid sample loading. Roller type grips required in high strength geotextile testing can be supplied as optional extra.

EKE 24605 Narrow strip tensile strength grip, wedge type 8 mm wide
EKE 24606 Wide width Tensile strength grip, wedge type 225 mm wide
EKE 24607 Roller grip for narrow strip strength test
EKE 24608 Roller grip for wide width testGrab Tensile Strength Test

This test measures the ability of the geotextile to distribute concentrated loads. Specially devised clamps (25 mm wide) with a gauge length of 100 mm are placed across 200 mm square samples or 200 mm x100 mm samples. The sample is then subjected to tension at a specified rate until failure occurs. It is widely used by manufacturers as a quality control tool and as such is the most commonly reported tensile strength value. It can also be used for relative comparisons between geotextiles of the same type.

Trapezoidal Tear Resistance Test

Geotextiles can be cut or punctured during field installation which can create a possible condition by which strength is controlled by a tearing resistance. In the method suggested by ASTM-D4632, anoutline of an isoscales trapezoid is marked on a rectangular specimen (150 mm x 75 mm) cut for the determination of tearing strength, (with a 6 to 9 mm cut) and the non-parallel sides of the trapezoid marked on the specimen are clamped in parallel jaws of the Tensile Testing System. Thereby, the separation of the jaws is continuously increased with simultaneous recording of the load, so the tear propagates across the specimen. The tearing strength is the value for estimating the relative tear resistance of different geotextiles or different directions of the same fabric.
EKE 24609 Grab Tensile strength Test Grip
EKE 24610 Trapezoidal Test Resistance Test Grip.