Neoloy® Tough-Cells enable confinement in applications where no other geocell dare to go. That’s why PRS developed new standards for unknown levels of performance.
Current industry standards evolved from 2D geogrids. These do not reflect the composite behavior of 3D geometry in soil, nor long-term parameters such as: dynamic loading, long-term deformation, the effect of temperatures, environmental durability, etc.
Therefore, PRS in consultation with leading experts in geosynthetics (TRI, GRI, ASTM) has adopted more accurate tests for Neoloy Tough-Cells. The new standards use common testing methods for polymer plastics used in the pipe, automobile, military and other industries. These methods predict long-term behavior and accumulated plastic strain in a geosynthetic under loading with different mechanical stresses, frequencies and temperatures. These methods include:
- DMA – Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
- SIM – Stepped Isothermal Method
- DSC – Differential Scanning Calorimetry
These test methods more accurately reflect 3D geocell geometry and material performance in the field rather than tests of individual strips and virgin materials. Although these commonly used ASTM/ISO standards have not yet been adopted by geocell industry, PRS has adopted them in order to provide reliable and verifiable assessment of geocell properties and long-term performance.
PRS-Neoloy Testing Standards
The tests used in the PRS specifications are described in the following sections:
- SIM Accelerated Creep Test – resistance to permanent deformation
- Dynamical Mechanical Analysis (DMA) – elastic modulus under cyclical loading at elevated temperatures
- Tensile Strength – long-term design strength
- High Pressure Oxidation Induction Time (HPOIT) – long term durability of polymer