ASTM D7180/D7180M-05(2013)e1

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 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.  
5.2 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 stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
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: 30-Jun-2013
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.06 - Geosynthetic Specifications

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
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Designation: D7180/D7180M − 05 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Guide for
Use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam in
Geotechnical Projects
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7180/D7180M; 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.
ε NOTE—Units information was editorially corrected in July 2013.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide covers some of the basic considerations for
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam in geotechni-
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
cal projects.
D6817 Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geo-
foam
1.2 This guide offers a collection of information and does
not recommend a course of action. This guide cannot replace
3. Terminology
educationorexperienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwith
professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be
3.1 Definitions—Terms used in this guide are defined in
applicable in all circumstances.
Terminology D4439.
3.1.1 geofoam, n—block or planar rigid cellular foam poly-
1.3 This guide is not intended to represent or replace the
meric material used in geotechnical engineering applications.
standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional
service must be judged, nor should this guide be applied
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects.
3.2.1 expanded polystyrene, n—type of foamed plastic
formed by the expansion of polystyrene resin beads in a
1.4 Theword“standard”inthetitleofthisguidemeansonly
molding process.
that this guide has been approved through the ASTM Interna-
tional consensus process.
3.3 Acronyms:
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units 3.3.1 EPS, n—expanded polystyrene.
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
3.3.2 EPS geofoam, n—rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
manufactured from EPS.
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
used independently of the other, and values from the two
4. Summary of Guide
systems shall not be combined.
4.1 EPS geofoam is commonly used in geotechnical appli-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
cations when an extremely lightweight material is required.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
This guide covers some of the considerations that must be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
evaluated in the design of these projects.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.1 This guide informs the user of design considerations in
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the the use of EPS geofoam which assist in the determination of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- the appropriate EPS geofoam for geotechnical applications.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.2 This guide does not preclude the judgment and practice
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
of those competent in geotechnical design.
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.06 on Geosynthetic Specifi-
cations. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2013. Published July 2013. Originally approved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D7180 – 05 (2009). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7180_D7180M-05R13E01. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D7180/D7180M − 05 (2013)
6. Design Principles 6.1.7 Buoyancy—EPS is a lightweight material with a
closed cell structure that does not allow for significant water
6.1 Design Considerations:
absorption. The buoyancy must be fully accounted for in
6.1.1 Compressive Properties:
designs that include the use of EPS geofoam in submerged
6.1.1.1 The compressive resistance of EPS geofoam is
applications. This should include the potential for 100-year
covered by Specification D6817. The compressive resistance
flood events. Common methods to counteract buoyancy are the
for geofoam is specified in Specification D6817 and includes
use of sufficient overburden or mechanical restraint.
the compressive behavior of EPS geofoam at 1, 5, and 10 %
6.1.8 Thermal Insulation Properties—The thermal insulat-
strain.
ing properties of EPS must be considered in areas subject to
6.1.1.2 Atypical limit for many EPS geofoam projects is to
freezing temperatures. In these areas, a sufficient cover of
consider the compressive resistance at 1 % strain. The com-
traditional fill material must be provided above the EPS
pressive behavior at 1 % strain is within the elastic region of
geofoam to reduce differential surface icing between EPS
EPSgeofoamandprovidesacceptableshort-termdeflectionsin
addition to limiting long-term creep deformation. geofoam and adjacent traditional fill locations.
6.1.1.3 Creep deformations must be accounted for when
6.1.9 Ultraviolet Light Exposure—EPS g
...