ASTM D35 Demystified

ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics was formed in 1984 as a global forum for the development of consensus standards and to disseminate knowledge dealing with geosynthetics. Committee D35 develops various types of standard documents, including test methods, specifications, guides, practices and terminology. This includes but is not limited to applications such as roadway stabilization and repair, erosion control, soil drainage and reinforcement, and hydraulic barriers composed primarily of man-made polymer sheets or spray-applied systems. The ASTM International process ensures that individuals and organizations interested in geosynthetics who represent academia, industry, product users, and governments alike all have an equal vote in determining a standard’s content.

Membership in Committee D35 is open to anyone. Currently 286 individuals participate on nine technical subcommittees that are responsible for 93 approved standards on geosynthetics. Task groups are working on a dozen new documents that will soon become Committee D35 standards including: a specification for geosynthetic alternate daily covers, test method for testing vertical strip drains in the crimped condition, specification for durability of turf reinforcement mats to laboratory accelerated weathering, test methods for leak location in geomembranes covered with water or earth materials, and others. Nonmembers of Committee D35 are invited to participate on the task groups. All Committee D35 standards are published in a new, separate volume of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards**volume 04.13 (D35 standards formerly appeared in volume 04.09). Individual copies of the standards are also available via the Internet (www.astm.org).

Visitors to the Committee D35 Web site at www.astm.org/COMMIT/D35.htm can learn more about the committee’s activities and obtain a list of each subcommittee and its standards, the meeting schedule, committee , dates/ locations of future meetings, and a link to the D35 Committee Officers. D35 members access the ‘Members Only’ section of the Web site to obtain meeting minutes, cast a vote on a committee or subcommittee ballot, contact a fellow committee member, download the agenda for an upcoming meeting, or review the Committee D35 Bylaws.

Committee D35 meets in January and June with approximately 75-100 members participating in approximately 60 meetings over three days. The next meeting will be held 17-19 June 2003, at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Denver, CO. Nonmembers of D35 are welcome to attend the meeting. In conjunction with D35’s Denver meeting, Subcommittee D35.04 on Geosynthetic Clay Liners is sponsoring a symposium titled "Symposium on Advancements in Geosynthetic Clay Liner Testing Methods, Stability Assessments, and Long-Term Performance." The symposium takes place on June 20. Sessions will include the following:

* Shear Strength Testing
* Assessment of Clay Component
* Durability of Clay Component
* Durability of Geosynthetic Component
* Evaluation of Current and Proposed GCL Standards
* Movements of Compounds through the GCL
* Case Study

Seventeen technical papers will also be presented.

For Committee D35 meeting or membership details, contact Maxine Topping, staff manager, ASTM International, +1 610/832-9737.