GEOFOAM PRODUCT DATA FOR SPEC.docx

18-121 / 636A821700 - IOWA CITY EHRM INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES

Data for Specification Section TBD

GEOFOAM PRODUCT DATA

Description Expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam has been used as a geotechnical material since the 1960s. EPS geofoam is approximately 1% the weight of soil and less than 10% the weight of other lightweight fill alternatives. As a lightweight fill, EPS geofoam reduces the loads imposed on adjacent and underlying soils and structures. EPS geofoam is not a general soil fill replacement material but is intended to solve engineering challenges. The use of EPS typically translates into benefits to construction schedules and lowers the overall cost of construction because it is easy to handle during construction, often without the need for special equipment, and is unaffected by occurring weather conditions. In addition, EPS geofoam can be easily cut and shaped on a project site, which further reduces jobsite challenges. EPS geofoam is available 1.1 chapter 1: product overview 1.1 01 Product Overview in numerous material types that can be chosen by the designer for a specific application. Its service life is comparable to other construction materials and it will retain its physical properties under engineered conditions of use. There are numerous manufacturers and suppliers of EPS geofoam in North America. Expanded polystyrene is created in a two-stage, molded bead process. EPS geofoam is produced in blocks that can be cut into various shapes and sizes - and a range of compressive resistances - to suit specific project needs. As an engineered product, it can be produced to obtain the required compressive resistance. EPS geofoam density, only about 1% that of soil and rock, is controlled during the manufacturing process, making it a superior, ultra-lightweight fill material that significantly reduces the stress on underlying subgrades. The lighter load can reduce settlements and can improve stability against bearing and slope failures. ASTM International provides a specification for the minimum properties of EPS geofoam. The relevant ASTM specification for EPS geofoam is ASTM D6817 Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam. Other ASTM standards are D7180 Standard Guide for the Use of EPS Geofoam in Geotechnical Projects and D7557 Standard Practice for Sampling of EPS Geofoam Specimens.

ASTM D6817 Physical Property Requirements of EPS Geofoam Density, min., kg/m3 (lb/ft3 ) 11.2 (0.70) 14.4 (0.90) 18.4 (1.15) 21.6 (1.35) 28.8 (1.80) 38.4 (2.40) 45.7 (2.85) Compressive Resistance, min., kPa (psi) at 1 % 15 (2.2) 25 (3.6) 40 (5.8) 50 (7.3) 75 (10.9) 103 (15.0) 128 (18.6) Compressive Resistance, min., kPa (psi) at 5 % 35 (5.1) 55 (8.0) 90 (13.1) 115 (16.7) 170 (24.7) 241 (35.0) 300 (43.5) Compressive Resistance, min., kPa (psi) at 10 % A 40 (5.8) 70 (10.2) 110 (16.0) 135 (19.6) 200 (29.0) 276 (40.0) 345 (50.0) Flexural Strength, min., kPa (psi) 69 (10.0) 172 (25.0) 207 (30.0) 240 (35.0) 345 (50.0) 414 (60.0) 517 (75.0) Oxygen index, min., volume % 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 ASTM International has three standards pertaining to EPS geofoam. • ASTM D6817 Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam provides information on the physical properties and dimensions of expanded polystyrene intended for use as geofoam. • ASTM D7180 Standard Guide for use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam in Geotechnical Projects covers design considerations for the use of EPS in geotechnical applications. • ASTM D7557 Standard Practice for Sampling of EPS Geofoam Specimens can be used for quality assurance. Type EPS12 EPS15 EPS19 EPS22 EPS29 EPS39 EPS46 Density, min., kg/m3 (lb/ft3 ) 11.2 (0.70) 14.4 (0.90) 18.4 (1.15) 21.6 (1.35) 28.8 (1.80) 38.4 (2.40) 45.7 (2.85) Compressive Resistance, min., kPa (psi) at 1 % 15 (2.2) 25 (3.6) 40 (5.8) 50 (7.3) 75 (10.9) 103 (15.0) 128 (18.6) Compressive Resistance, min., kPa (psi) at 5 % 35 (5.1) 55 (8.0) 90 (13.1) 115 (16.7) 170 (24.7) 241 (35.0) 300 (43.5) Compressive Resistance, min., kPa (psi) at 10 % A 40 (5.8) 70 (10.2) 110 (16.0) 135 (19.6) 200 (29.0) 276 (40.0) 345 (50.0) Flexural Strength, min., kPa (psi) 69 (10.0) 172 (25.0) 207 (30.0) 240 (35.0) 345 (50.0) 414 (60.0) 517 (75.0) Oxygen index, min., volume % 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 The typical design load limit for EPS Geofoam is the compressive resistance at 1%. Please refer to section 4.2 for additional information. ASTM D6817 Physical Property Requirements of EPS Geofoam Chemical resistance EPS is not soluble in water. EPS is resistant, at ambient temperature, to: • alkalis • dilute inorganic acids • gypsum plaster • most alcohols • portland cement • silicone oil • solvent-free bitumen EPS can be damaged by, and should not come in contact with the materials below. Protect EPS geofoam from contact with these materials both during construction and after project completion using an appropriate hydrocarbon-resistant geomembrane or other physical barrier: • hydrocarbons • chlorinated hydrocarbons • organic solvents • ketones • ethers • esters • diesel and gasoline • concentrated acids • vegetable oils • animal fats and oils • paraffin If using EPS geofoam in a location of contaminated soils, laboratory testing should be performed to determine the nature of the contaminants, e.g. methane, and their possible impact on the EPS geofoam.

ASTM International 100 Barr Harbor Drive West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 www.astm.org EPS Industry Alliance 1298 Cronson Blvd., Suite 201 Crofton MD 21114 800-607-3772 info@epscentral.org www.epsmolders.org U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE Washington, DC 20590 202-366-4000 www.fhwa.dot.gov Geofoam Research Center College of Engineering and Computer Science 237 Hinds Hall Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 13244-1240 grc@syr.edu geofoam.syr.edu National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Transportation Research Board The National Academies 500 Fifth St. NW Washington, DC 20001 202-334-2934 www.trb.org/NCHRP/Public/NCHRP.aspx