Testing Protocols for Oxidation and Hydrolysis of Geosynthetics

769423420138771999Final ReportDiMillio, A.F.PDFTech ReportFHWA-RD-97-144DTFH61-91-C-00054OxidationHydrolysisGeosyntheticsTest proceduresAntioxidantsAccelerated agingChemical propertiesDegradationDurabilityGeogridsGeosyntheticsGeotechnical engineeringHydrolysisMechanical propertiesOxidationPhysical propertiesPolyesterPolyoletinsProceduresTest methodsTestingVerificiationUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Engineering Research and DevelopmentElias, V.Salman, A.Juran, I.Pearce, E.Lu, S.United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Engineering Research and DevelopmentEarth Engineering & Sciences, Inc.Polytechnic University (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.)United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Engineering & Highway Operations Research and DevelopmentDiMillio, A. F.Federal Highway AdministrationThis report presents the development and verification of testing protocols and interpretations necessary to determine the oxidative durability of polyolefin geosynthetics and hydrolysis durability of polyester geosynthetic products. For polyolefin geosynthetics, the research findings indicate that the amount and type of antioxidant added determines the useful life in civil works. Oxidative degradation is further dependent on type of fiber, manufacturing process, and oxygen concentration of the in-use environment. For polyester geosynthetics, the hydrolytic degradation rate is a function of the molecular weight of the polymer and the pH of the in-use environment. This report is part of a comprehensive study on the "Durability of Geosynthetic Materials for Highway Applications."88