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Expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam has
been used throughout the world for over 30 years in
applications where ultra-lightweight fill material has
been specified for:
- Site development on poor load-bearing
foundation soils
- Reduction of lateral pressure on vertical
walls
- Stress reduction on underground structures
and/or utilities
- Temperature control and/or frost protection
STYRO-FLEX EPS Geofoam provides cost-effective
solutions where conventional construction methods have
failed or shown sub-standard performance. Unlike traditional
engineering and construction practices that work to
resist the forces of nature, geofoam is designed to
work with them. Geofoam's success derives from the fact
that it is often more cost-effective to reduce the forces
acting on a structure or foundation soil than it is
to reinforce them to withstand the forces that would
exist without geofoam substitution.
- Ultra-Lightweight
EPS: geofoam weighs only 1.00-2.00 lb/ft3,
approximately 1% the density of soil or rock.
- Reduced Construction
Times: EPS geofoam construction is very fast,
particularly beneficial with compressed project timelines.
- Predictable
Material Behavior: EPS geofoam is an engineered
product, unlike other lightweight fill materials that
can be variable in composition.
- Non-Biodegradable:
EPS geofoam physical properties will not degrade,
assuring long-term performance in engineered geotechnical
applications.
- Inert:
EPS geofoam will not leach into surrounding soils
or groundwater and provides no nutritive value for
plants or animals.
STYRO-FLEX EPS Geofoam is a versatile
material that provides innovative solutions to many
common, and not so common, geotechnical challenges.
A cost-effective alternative to traditional construction
practices, EPS geofoam has documented benefits in the
following applications:
- Road Embankments
- Bridge Approach
Fill
- Slope Stabilization
- Earth Retaining
Structures
- Plaza Decks
- Structural Foundations
- Compressible
Inclusions
- Dikes/Berms/Levees
- Landscape Fill
- Insulation/Frost
Protection
Note: Other engineered applications may
also be appropriate for STYRO-FLEX EPS Geofoam.
Whether considering or actively specifying
geofoam in your designs, give Styrotech a call and let
us go to work for you. For over a decade we have produced
geofoam for a variety of applications, both large and
small. Our early commitment to geofoam technology has
provided us with the background to help your projects
proceed efficiently.
Experience
- Styrotech has produced numerous geofoam projects,
for both the private and public sectors, throughout
the upper Midwest.
Knowledge
- Styrotech employs people who are experts in the industry,
many with over 25 years of experience, ready to work
for you.
Capacity
- Styrotech has one of the largest, state-of-the-art
production facilities in the country, allowing us to
meet geofoam requirements for even the largest projects.
Service
- Styrotech takes a "hands on" approach with
geofoam projects from start to finish.
2340 - Soil Stabilization:
STYRO-FLEX Geofoam ultra-lightweight fill is used to
reduce stresses on underlying soils, reduce lateral
pressures on vertical walls, and provide frost protection.
Creep
Behavior of EPS Geofoam
Long
Term Performance and Durability of EPS as a Lightweight
Filling Material
Design
Considerations
Physical
Properties
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University
of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota
Riverbend Commons, at the University of Minnesota,
reclaimed its view of the Mississippi River
by replacing an above-ground parking ramp
with an underground structure. Concerned over
the stress that landscape soils would impose
on the structure, engineers significantly
reduced structural loads by specifying geofoam
to create their landscape.
Top Photo: Geofoam blocks being installed
Middle Photo: Landscape soils being distributed
to specified depths over geofoam
Bottom Photo: Finished landscape design |
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County
Highway 12
Elk River, Minnesota
Constructed over peat deposits 22'-28' deep,
County Highway 12 experienced severe settlement
even after previous attempts to correct the
problem were made. With minimal excavation,
a geofoam road embankment was constructed
to reduce the overburden on the underlying
poor soils.
Top Photo: Construction of geofoam road embankment
Bottom Photo: New 200' road section completed
in 8 working days |
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County
Highway A
Bayfield, Wisconsin
For over 20 years, County Highway A had a
history of slope failures, and conventional
remedies had failed to correct the problem.
Geofoam enabled engineers to reduce the landslide
driving force without lowering the grade at
the head of the slide.
Top Photo: Geofoam blocks being installed
in the area of failure
Bottom Photo: Compacted base course ready
for asphalt application |
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