ASTM D7180-05(2009)

Standard Guide for Use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam in Geotechnical Projects

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide informs the user of design considerations in the use of EPS geofoam which assist in the determination of the appropriate EPS geofoam for geotechnical applications.
This guide does not preclude the judgment and practice of those competent in geotechnical design.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers some of the basic considerations for the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam in geotechnical projects.
1.2 This guide offers a collection of information and does not recommend a course of action. This guide cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances.
1.3 This guide is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this guide be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects.
1.4 The word “standard” in the title of this guide means only that this guide has been approved through the ASTM International consensus process.
1.5 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2009
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.03 - Permeability and Filtration

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D7180-05 - Standard Guide for Use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam in Geotechnical Projects
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7180 − 05(Reapproved 2009)
Standard Guide for
Use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam in
Geotechnical Projects
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7180; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Terms used in this guide are defined in
1.1 This guide covers some of the basic considerations for
Terminology D4439.
the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam in geotechni-
3.1.1 geofoam, n—block or planar rigid cellular foam poly-
cal projects.
meric material used in geotechnical engineering applications.
1.2 This guide offers a collection of information and does
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
not recommend a course of action. This guide cannot replace
3.2.1 expanded polystyrene, n—type of foamed plastic
educationorexperienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwith
formed by the expansion of polystyrene resin beads in a
professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be
molding process.
applicable in all circumstances.
3.3 Acronyms:
1.3 This guide is not intended to represent or replace the
3.3.1 EPS, n—expanded polystyrene
standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional
3.3.2 EPS geofoam, n—rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam
service must be judged, nor should this guide be applied
manufactured from EPS
without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects.
1.4 Theword“standard”inthetitleofthisguidemeansonly
4. Summary of Guide
that this guide has been approved through the ASTM Interna-
4.1 EPS geofoam is commonly used in geotechnical appli-
tional consensus process.
cations when an extremely lightweight material is required.
1.5 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as the
This guide covers some of the considerations that must be
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
evaluated in the design of these projects.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 This guide informs the user of design considerations in
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
the use of EPS geofoam which assist in the determination of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the appropriate EPS geofoam for geotechnical applications.
5.2 This guide does not preclude the judgment and practice
2. Referenced Documents
of those competent in geotechnical design.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics 6. Design Principles
D6817 Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geo-
6.1 Design Considerations:
foam
6.1.1 Compressive Properties:
6.1.1.1 The compressive resistance of EPS geofoam is
covered by Specification D6817. The compressive resistance
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics
for geofoam is specified in Specification D6817 and includes
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on Permeability and
the compressive behavior of EPS geofoam at 1, 5, and 10 %
Filtration.
strain.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2009. Published January 2010. Originally
6.1.1.2 Atypical limit for many EPS geofoam projects is to
approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D7180–05. DOI:
10.1520/D7180-05R09.
consider the compressive resistance at 1 % strain. The com-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
pressive behavior at 1 % strain is within the elastic region of
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
EPSgeofoamandprovidesacceptableshort-termdeflectionsin
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. addition to limiting long-term creep deformation.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7180 − 05 (2009)
6.1.1.3 Creep deformations must be accounted for when flood events. Common methods to counteract buoyancy are the
long-term loads exceed the compressive resistance at 1 % use of sufficient overburden or mechanical restraint.
strain. 6.1.8 Thermal Insulation Properties—The thermal insulat-
ing properties of EPS must be considered in areas subject to
6.1.1.4 At a compressive resistance of 5 % strain, EPS
freezing temperatures. In these areas, a sufficient cover of
geofoam is beyond the elastic behavior region and is in the
traditional fill material must be provided above the EPS
plastic behavior region.
geofoam to reduce differential surface icing between EPS
6.1.2 Compressive Resistance Testing—Thecompressivere-
geofoam and adjacent traditional fill locations.
sistance described in 6.1.1 is determined from the uniform
6.1.9 Ultraviolet Light Exposure—EPS geofoam will dis-
loading of 50-mm (2-in.) cubes at a prescribed loading rate.
colorandyellowwhenexposedforextendedtimeperiods.EPS
6.1.3 Load Distribution Requirements—In applications with
geofoam expected to be exposed for long periods of time
localized loading exceed
...