Since the 1960s, expanded polystyrene geofoam or EPS, geofoam has been utilized as a geotechnical material. It is around 1% of the weight of soil and less than 10% of other lightweight fill choices. The loads placed on neighboring and underlying soils and structures are reduced by using EPS geofoam as a lightweight fill.
EPS geofoam is not designed to be used as a general soil fill replacement material but rather to solve engineering problems. As it is easy to handle during construction, frequently without special equipment, and is unaffected by weather conditions, EPS often helps construction schedules and saves construction costs. Furthermore, EPS geofoam may be easily cut and molded on the job site, reducing workplace obstacles even more.
EPS geofoam is available in various material kinds, which the designer can select for specific use. It has a similar service life to other construction materials and will maintain its physical qualities under-engineered use conditions.
Styrene Insulation Industry is one of the prominent EPS geofoam manufacturers and suppliers in the UAE. A two-stage molded bead method produces expanded polystyrene. EPS geofoam comes in blocks that may be cut into various compressive resistances and various shapes and sizes to meet the needs of specific projects. It can be manufactured as a designed product to achieve the requisite compressive resistance.
EPS geofoam’s density, which is only around 1% of that of soil and rock, is meticulously controlled during the manufacturing process, resulting in a fantastic, ultra-lightweight fill material that relieves stress on underlying subgrades. In the event of bearing or slope failures, the lighter weight can aid in reducing settlements and boosting stability.
EPS Geofoam Advantages
For EPS geofoam applications, there are various design considerations. Engineering features and construction elements are among the things to consider. This section discusses some of the benefits and unique characteristics of using EPS geofoam in construction.
- Lightweight
- Strength
- Ease of Handling
- Less Construction time
- Less Construction Cost
- Stability
- insulation
- Buoyancy
- Water Absorption
- Sustainability
EPS Geofoam Applications
Because EPS geofoam is naturally multi-functional, it can be used in many applications. Construction on slope stabilization, soft ground, and retaining walls benefit. EPS geofoam has been utilized in airfield pavements and roads, storage tanks, sports stadiums, railway track systems, beneath refrigerated storage facilities, and below-ground construction segments to reduce seasonal heating and cooling requirements.
Engineers, architects, and builders can use EPS geofoam to design important geosynthetic functionalities and choose the optimal product combination to meet project objectives. EPS geofoam offers novel solutions to various difficulties, including seismic shock protection and noise and vibration dampening, because of its remarkable strength and flexibility.
1. Construction of roads in poor soils
The increased demand for new roads may necessitate building on soft or loose soils that can’t withstand higher loads in many circumstances. Designers must develop new materials and construction approaches to handle the issue of building on soft soils or near sensitive existing utilities or wetlands while also shortening project timelines. EPS geofoam can substitute compressible soils or heavy fill materials to avoid unacceptable pressure on neighboring structures and underlying soils. EPS geofoam can withstand traffic loads associated with secondary and interstate highways due to its excellent compressive strength.
2. Road Widening
Roads are frequently enlarged to reduce traffic congestion. As a result of this circumstance, extra fill is required to widen the road. Because the subsequent settlement can affect the existing roadway. This can be a costly affair and time taking process if the soils close to the existing roadway are not suitable to withstand the traffic loads. Soil barriers are often created in thin lifts, each of which must be compacted before the next lift is set. The use of EPS geofoam removes the requirement for compaction and fill tests, cuts construction time, and lowers the impact on the existing roadway, surrounding structures, and subsurface utilities. Because of its strong compressive strength, EPS geofoam may endure induced traffic stresses without producing excessive loading of the underlying soils or adjacent fill. Furthermore, EPS geofoam may construct steeper slopes than soil, thereby reducing the amount of additional right-of-way required.
3. Abutment of a bridge
Using EPS geofoam to produce approach fills for bridge abutments has various advantages.
EPS geofoam can safely withstand highway loading without overstressing the underlying soils due to its strong compressive resistance.
This usually reduces differential movement at the bridge/approach fill interface, lowering the approach slab’s construction cost and long-term maintenance costs.
Furthermore, because the transmitted lateral force is proportionate to the weight of the backfill, EPS geofoam imparts dramatically decreased lateral forces on abutment walls, foundations, and other retaining structures compared to standard embankment fills. Suppose this weight is significantly reduced, as in the case of EPS geofoam backfill. In that case, the design of bridge abutments and other walls can be simplified because they are no longer necessary to withstand huge horizontal static and dynamic forces.
4. Rail Embankment
EPS geofoam
can be used to build railway dams that aren’t too heavy on the ground. EPS geofoam is sturdy enough to support railway loads as fill material.
The project would have taken longer and cost more money if traditional approaches to stabilize the foundation soils and reduce settlements had been adopted. Because of the project’s schedule and budgetary constraints, EPS geofoam was chosen as the best fill material.
5. Green roofs with vegetation and landscaping
We can create an excellent topography with EPS geofoam without additional strain on underground structures. One example of this use is the creation of roof gardens for urban buildings.
Vegetative roofs offer numerous advantages to a building, particularly in metropolitan settings. They manage precipitation to reduce runoff, improve air quality, and lower air temperatures. EPS geofoam is ideal for this usage because it can be cut to meet complicated geometries, placed on the roof without specific equipment, and adds no considerable load to the roof structure.
On-site cutting and shaping of EPS geofoam can be used to produce fascinating architectural and landscape characteristics. The increased insulation value provided by EPS geofoam for a vegetative roof is an added benefit. With very little additional load supplied to the underlying structures, a range of intriguing geometric shapes were generated.
Conclusion
Styrene Insulation Industry (SII) can assist you with any geofoam application you may have. We use only the best foam blocks, but we can also tailor our services to the type of construction or building you require. We have geofoam that may be customized to accommodate various needs, including roadways, landscapes, and structures.
Styrene Insulation Industry (SII) is here to help you succeed on your next project, whether you’re an architect, engineer, construction contractor, or builder. Our services and products are of the highest quality, and we provide quality assurance. For all foam block construction needs and solutions, turn to Styrene Insulation Industry (SII).
