ASTM D7180-05

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

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 projects 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-May-2005
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.03 - Permeability and Filtration

Relations

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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