This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D6475 − 17

Standard Test Method for

Measuring Mass per Unit Area of Erosion Control Blankets1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6475; 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 D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical

1.1 This test method can be used as an index test to Data
determine the mass per unit area of all erosion control blankets E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
(ECBs). Ventilation Ovens
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1.2 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the ASTM Test Methods
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Practice D6026. Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.2.1 The method used to specify collection, calculation, or
2.2 Erosion Control Technology Council Standard:3
recording of data in this test method is not directly related to
Technical Guidance Manual, Terminology and Index Testing
the accuracy to which the data can be applied in design or other
Procedures for Rolled Erosion Control Products
uses or both. Application of the results obtained using this test
method is beyond its scope. 3. Terminology
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded 3.1 Definitions—For other terminology, see Terminologies
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in D123, D653, and D4439.
this standard.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 erosion control blanket, ECB, n—degradable material,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
composed primarily of processed natural organic materials,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
manufactured or fabricated into rolls designed to reduce soil
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
erosion and assist in the growth, establishment, and protection
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of vegetation.
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.2 erosion control net, ECN, n—planar woven natural
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 fiber or extruded geosynthetic mesh used as a component in the
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles manufacture of ECBs.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained 3.2.3 index test, n—test procedure that may be used to
Fluids establish an order for a set of specimens with respect to the
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies property of interest.
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as 3.2.4 lot, n—unit of production, or a group of other units or
Used in Engineering Design and Construction packages, taken for sampling or statistical examination, having
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled one or more common properties and being readily separable
Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing from other similar units.
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D5261 Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of 3.2.5 natural, adj—describes a class of various general
Geotextiles fibers of animal or vegetable origin.
3.2.6 polymer, n—chemical compound or mixture of com-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 onSoil and pounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.25 on Erosion and repeating structural units.
Sediment Control Technology.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2017. Published March 2017. Originally 3.2.7 sample, n—portion of material that is taken for testing
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D6475–06, which was or recording purposes and used in the laboratory as a source of
withdrawn January 2015 and reinstated in February 2017. DOI: 10.1520/D6475-17. individual specimens.
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
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3
the ASTM website. Available from ISO Case Postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland.

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

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 D6475 − 17
3.2.8 temporary degradable, n—erosion control blanket so as to maintain the structural integrity of the product. This is
composed of biologically, photochemically, or otherwise de- true not only for generating a test sample, but also for the
gradable materials that temporarily reduce soil erosion and generation of individual test specimens from the sample for
enhances the establishment of vegetation. testing. Careless handling of materials may result in loss of
component fibers, yarns, netting, or stitching, or a combination
4. Summary of Test Method thereof, and a bias of test results. Note any loss of material
4.1 The mass per unit area of an ECB is determined by components observed during sample and test specimen prepa-
weighing test specimens of known dimensions cut from ration.
various locations over the full width of the laboratory sample. 7.2.3 The number of test specimens shall be a minimum of
The measured weight is then used to calculate the mass per unit five, cut in square or rectangular configuration using sharp
area of the specimen, and these values are averaged to obtain shears, so that they are representative of the entire roll width
the mean mass per unit area of the laboratory sample. and with a combined total minimum area of 5000 cm2. Each
4.2 This test method requires several hours for proper test specimen shall be equal in area (not less than 1000 cm2 in
drying of the specimen in an oven at high temperature. accordance with Test Method D5261). Cut each test specimen
using a jig or template to ensure uniformity of size, with an
5. Significance and Use accuracy of 60.5 % of its area.
5.1 This test method is used to determine if the ECB meets 7.2.4 Cut specimens from across each third of the roll width.
specifications for mass per unit area. This measurement allows Do not cut specimens from the first or last 3 m of the roll
for a simple control of the delivered material by a comparison length, or from within 10 cm of the edges of the roll.
of the mass per unit area of the delivered material and the 7.2.5 For test specimens prepared in the field, larger than
specified mass per unit area. minimum-sized test specimens will be required to stay within
the cutting accuracy of 0.5 %. It is recommended that field cut
5.2 The procedure in this test method may be used for
specimens be cut with an area not less than 1500 cm2 , so that
acceptance testing of commercial shipments, but caution is
the integrity of the specimen will be preserved until final
advised since information about between-laboratory precision
specimen sizes can be prepared in the testing laboratory.
is incomplete.
7.2.6 Some products vary in physical properties in the
5.3 Testing under this standard shall conform to the require- transverse or machine direction. For that reason, it is appro-
ments of Practice D3740. priate to secure samples from across the roll width.
6. Apparatus 7.2.7 Procedures found to be successful for cutting test
specimens from rolled erosion control products include the use
6.1 Balance, weighing device, calibrated, capable of weigh- of bags and slip supports to keep all components of degradable
ing to an accuracy of 0.1 g. specimens together during the sample preparation. The method
6.2 Drying Oven, thermostatically controlled, preferably of of specimen cutting should be included with the reported data.
the forced-draft type, meeting the requirements of Specifica- 7.2.8 If the structure of the erosion control blanket is such
tion E145 and capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of that the specified test specimen size is not representative of the
50 6 5°C throughout the drying chamber. laboratory sample, a larger size shall be agreed upon between
6.3 Specimen Trays, made of material resistant to corrosion the purchaser and the supplier.
and change in mass upon repeated heating, cooling, exposure 7.2.9 All samples shall be marked with identification
to materials of varying pH, and cleaning big enough to hold information, including manufacturer’s name, style, or product
1000 cm3 specimen and able to handle temperature swing from number, unique roll number, and date sampled.
50°C to room temperature. 7.2.10 Most conformance testing requires the laboratory to
6.4 Container Handling Apparatus, gloves, tongs, or suit- sample the material randomly across the roll width. When this
able holder for moving and handling hot trays after drying. is required, a section of material representing the entire roll
shall be provided. Alternately, cut panels can be used as long as
7. Sampling they represent random locations across the width of the roll.
7.1 Lot Sample—Divide the test specimens into lots and, for Mark each panel for identification.
the lot to be tested, take the lot samples in accordance with 7.2.11 If samples are to be shipped or transported to the
Practice D4354. laboratory, they should be wrapped in a durable protective
covering so as to prevent damage or loss or both of component
7.2 Laboratory Sample—Consider the units in the lot
materials. Provide a packing list or chain of custody to indicate
sample as the units in the laboratory sample. For the laboratory
where the sample came from and instructions for testing or
sample, take a full-width swatch of sufficient length along the
other handling.
selvage so that the requirements of 7.2.3 can be met.
7.2.1 The laboratory sample should be free from imperfec-
8. Procedure
tions and characteristics not representative of the material
sampled. 8.1 Determine and record the mass of the clean and dry
7.2.2 As most ECBs are constructed from several compo- specimen tray on a calibrated balance to the nearest 0.1 g.
nent materials, sampling of the bulk product shall be performed Record this value as Mc.

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 D6475 − 17
8.2 Select representative test specimens in accordance with 10.2 Examples of Significant Digits—See Table 1.
Section 7. 10.3 A statement of any departures from the testing proce-
8.3 Place the specimen on the specimen tray. dures so that the results can be evaluated.
8.4 To prevent mixing of specimens and yielding of incor- 11. Precision and Bias
rect results, number all trays and record the tray numbers on
the laboratory data sheets. 11.1 The precision of this test method is based on an
interlaboratory study (ILS) of this test method conducted in
8.5 Place the tray with the test specimen in the drying oven. 2013. Eight laboratories participated in this study. Each of the
Dry the specimen to a constant mass. Maintain the drying oven laboratories reported three replicate test results for a single type
at 50 6 5°C unless otherwise specified. The time required to of double net blanket. One laboratory also reported four
obtain constant mass will vary depending on the type of replicates for an additional five products to determine repeat-
material, size of specimen, moisture content in the as-delivered ability better. Every “test result” reported represents an indi-
condition, and other factors. The influence of these factors vidual determination. Except for the ultimate use of data from
generally can be established by good judgment, experience only seven laboratories, Practice E691 was followed for the
with the materials being tested, and the apparatus being used. design and analysis of the data; the details are given in ASTM
8.6 Since the type of materials being tested is lightweight Research Report No. D18-1023.4
and organic in nature, drying time required to achieve constant 11.1.1 Repeatability (r)—The difference between repetitive
mass should be relatively short. Dry for a minimum of 8 h or results obtained by the same operator in a given laboratory
until the change in mass after two successive periods (greater applying the same test method with the same apparatus under
than 1 h) of drying is less than 0.1 %. constant operating conditions on identical test material within
8.7 After the specimen has dried to constant mass as short intervals of time would, in the long run, in the normal and
prescribed in 8.6, remove the tray from the oven using correct operation of the test method, exceed the following
appropriate safety gloves or tongs. In order that the weight of values only in 1 case in 20.
the dried specimen not be affected as a result of moisture 11.1.1.1 Repeatability can be interpreted as the maximum
absorption, place the tray on the balance and weigh the difference between two results obtained under repeatability
specimen within 5 min after removal from the oven. conditions that is accepted as plausible because of random
causes under normal and correct operation of the test method.
8.8 Determine the mass of the tray with the dried specimen 11.1.1.2 Repeatability limits are listed in Table 2.
to the nearest 0.1 g using the same calibrated balance as in 8.1. 11.1.2 Reproducibility (R)—The difference between two
Record this value as Mt. single and independent results obtained by different operators
8.9 Repeat this procedure for each test specimen. applying the same test method in different laboratories using
different apparatus on identical test material would, in the long
9. Calculation run, in the normal and correct operation of the test method,
9.1 Calculate the mass of the specimen Ms, in grams, as exceed the following values only in 1 case in 20.
follows: 11.1.2.1 Reproducibility can be interpreted as the maximum
Ms 5 Mt 2 Mc (1) difference between two results obtained under reproducibility
conditions that is accepted as plausible because of random
where: causes under normal and correct operation of the test method.
Mt = mass of the dried specimen, g, and 11.1.2.2 Reproducibility limits are listed in Table 2.
Mc = mass of the specimen tray, g. 11.1.3 The above terms (repeatability limit and reproduc-
9.2 Calculate the mass per unit area of each of the speci- ibility limit) are used as specified in Practice E177.
mens as follows: 11.1.4 Any judgment in accordance with 11.1.1 and 11.1.2
will have an approximate 95 % probability of being correct.
m 5 Ms 3 10□000/A (2)
The precision statistics obtained in this ILS shall not be treated
where: as exact mathematical quantities that are applicable to all
m = mass per unit area, rounded to the nearest 0.1 g/m2, and
A = area of the specimen, cm2. 4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
9.3 Calculate the average and standard deviation of the mass be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D18-1023. Contact ASTM Customer
per unit area results for the samples tested. Service at [email protected].

10. Report TABLE 1 Example of Significant Digits

10.1 Report the following information: Number as Written Number of Implied Range
10.1.1 Type of ECB tested, sampling method used, the test Significant Digits
341 3 340.5 to 341.5
specimen size, shape, and the number of test specimens tested, 34.1 3 34.05 to 34.15
10.1.2 The average mass per unit area and standard devia- 0.00341 3 0.003405 to 0.003415
tion to three significant figures, and 3410 4 3409.5 to 3410.5
341 EE7 3 340.5 EE7 to 341.5 EE7
10.1.3 Report the mass of lost components in the final 3.41 EE-2 3 3.405 EE-2 to 3.415 EE-2
report.

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 D6475 − 17
TABLE 2 Mass per Unit Area (g/m2)
A
Material Average Repeatability Standard Reproducibility Standard Repeatability Limit Reproducibility Limit
Deviation Deviation r R
Sr SR
Double net blanket 340.34 34.04 42.09 95.32 117.84
Product A 252.48 23.50 N/A 65.79 N/A
Product B 300.88 28.74 N/A 80.46 N/A
Product C 189.65 21.56 N/A 60.36 N/A
Product D 310.08 16.72 N/A 46.82 N/A
Product E 200.13 27.11 N/A 75.91 N/A
A
The average of the laboratories’ calculated averages.

circumstances and uses. The limited number of materials tested 11.3 The precision statement was determined through sta-
may lead to times when differences greater than predicted by tistical examination of 41 results, from 7 laboratories, on 6
the ILS results will arise, sometimes with considerably greater materials.
or smaller frequency than the 95 % probability limit would
imply. 12. Keywords
11.2 Bias—At the time of the study, there was no accepted 12.1 ECB; erosion control blanket; mass per unit area;
reference material suitable for determining the bias for this test weight
method; therefore, no statement on bias is being made.

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