ASTM D6817-07

Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam

ABSTRACT
This specification presents the types, physical properties, and dimensions of rigid cellular polystyrene (RCPS) intended for use as geofoam. This specification, however, does not address the layout, placement, and workmanship for proper installation and performance of the geofoams. RCPS geofoams shall be formed by the expansion of polystyrene resin beads or granules in a molding process (EPS), or by the expansion of polystyrene base resin in an extrusion process (XPS). They may also be manufactured with reprocessed polystyrene foam (regrind). The RCPS geofoams shall meet combustibility and curing requirements and, when tested, shall adhere to physical property requirements such as dimensions and density, compressive resistance, flexural strength, and oxygen index. Final products should also meet surface damage, volume damage, and UV degradation limits.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the types, physical properties and dimensions of rigid cellular polystyrene intended for use as geofoam.
1.2 This specification does not cover the layout, placement and workmanship for proper installation and performance of rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam.
1.3 Rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam covered by this specification may need protection from certain chemicals, environmental exposure, and concentrated loads. Additional design considerations may include thermal conductivity and buoyancy. Guidelines regarding these end use considerations are included in Appendix X1.
1.4 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 requirements prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2007
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• ICS: 83.100 - Cellular materials
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.03 - Permeability and Filtration

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6817-06a - Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2007
• Replaced By: ASTM D6817-11 - Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D6817 – 07
Standard Specification for
1
Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6817; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D1621 Test Method for Compressive Properties Of Rigid
Cellular Plastics
1.1 This specification covers the types, physical properties
D1622 Test Method forApparent Density of Rigid Cellular
anddimensionsofrigidcellularpolystyreneintendedforuseas
Plastics
geofoam.
D2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen
1.2 This specification does not cover the layout, placement
Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of
and workmanship for proper installation and performance of
Plastics (Oxygen Index)
rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam.
1.3 Rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam covered by this
3. Terminology
specification may need protection from certain chemicals,
3.1 Definitions:
environmental exposure, and concentrated loads. Additional
3.1.1 Terms used in this specification are defined in Termi-
design considerations may include thermal conductivity and
nology D4439.
buoyancy. Guidelines regarding these end use considerations
3.1.2 geofoam—block or planar rigid cellular foam poly-
are included in Appendix X1.
meric material used in geotechnical engineering applications.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1 EPS, XX—number designation for expanded polysty-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
rene geofoam Type(s) having a minimum density of XX
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3 3
kg/m (lb/ft ).
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
3.2.2 XPS, XX—number designation for extruded polysty-
2. Referenced Documents rene geofoam Type(s) having a minimum density of XX
3 3
2
kg/m (lb/ft ).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.3 RCPS—letter designation for EPS and XPS rigid
C165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties
cellular polystyrene geofoam covered by this specification.
of Thermal Insulations
C203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Prop-
4. Ordering Information
erties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
4.1 Acquisition documents shall specify the following:
C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
4.1.1 Title, number and year of this specification.
formed Block and Board−Type Thermal Insulation
4.1.2 Type, as per Table 1, or minimum density required.
C390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal
4.1.3 Total product volume required of each Type, or
Insulation Lots
minimum density.
C578 Specification for Rigid, Cellular PolystyreneThermal
Insulation
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 RCPS geofoam shall be formed by the expansion of
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on polystyreneresinbeadsorgranulesinamoldingprocess(EPS)
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on Perme-
or by the expansion of polystyrene base resin in an extrusion
ability and Filtration.
process (XPS). RCPS geofoam may be manufactured with
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2007. Published December 2007. Originally
reprocessed polystyrene foam (regrind).
approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D6817–06a. DOI:
10.1520/D6817-07.
5.2 RCPS geofoam shall be of uniform density and have
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
essentially closed cells. RCPS geofoam is an organic material
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
and is considered combustible. It should not be exposed to
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. flames or other ignition sources.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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D6817 – 07
2
A,B
TABLE 1 Physical Property Requirements of RCPS Geofoam
Type EPS12 EPS15 EPS19 EPS22 EPS29 EPS39 EPS46 XPS20 XPS21 XPS26 XPS29 XPS36 XPS48
Density, min., 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) 19.2 (1.20) 20.8 (1.30) 25.6 (1.60) 28.8 (1.80) 35.2 (2.20) 48.0 (3.00)
3 3
kg/m (lb/ft )
Compressive Resistance, min., 15 (2.2) 25 (3.6) 40 (5.8) 50 (7.3) 75 (10.9) 103 (15.0) 128 (18.6) 20 (2.9) 35 (5.1) 75 (10.9) 105 (15.2) 160 (23.2) 280 (40.6)
kPa (psi) at 1 %
Compressive Resistance, min., 35 (5.1) 55 (8.0) 90 (13.1) 115 (16.7) 170 (24.7) 241 (35.0) 300 (43.
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D6817–06a Designation: D 6817 – 07
Standard Specification for
1
Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6817; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers the types, physical properties and dimensions of rigid cellular polystyrene intended for use as
geofoam.
1.2 This specification does not cover the layout, placement and workmanship for proper installation and performance of rigid
cellular polystyrene geofoam.
1.3 Rigidcellularpolystyrenegeofoamcoveredbythisspecificationmayneedprotectionfromcertainchemicals,environmental
exposure, and concentrated loads. Additional design considerations may include thermal conductivity and buoyancy. Guidelines
regarding these end use considerations are included in Appendix X1.
1.4 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
requirements prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations
C 203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Properties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
C 303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Preformed Block and BoardType Thermal Insulation
C 390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal Insulation Lots
C 578 Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
D 1621 Test Method for Compressive Properties Of Rigid Cellular Plastics
D 1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular Plastics
D 2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics
(Oxygen Index)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Terms used in this specification are defined in Terminology D 4439.
3.1.2 geofoam—block or planar rigid cellular foam polymeric material used in geotechnical engineering applications.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3
3.2.1 EPS, XX—number designation for expanded polystyrene geofoam Type(s) having a minimum density of XX kg/m (lb/ft
3).
3
3.2.2 XPS, XX—number designation for extruded polystyrene geofoam Type(s) having a minimum density of XX kg/m (lb/ft
3).
3.2.3 RCPS—letter designation for EPS and XPS rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam covered by this specification.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 Acquisition documents shall specify the following:
4.1.1 Title, number and year of this specification.
4.1.2 Type, as per Table 1, or minimum density required.
4.1.3 Total product volume required of each Type, or minimum density.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on Permeability and
Filtration.
Current edition approved JulyDec. 1, 2006.2007. Published August 2006.December 2007. Originally approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as
D 6817 – 06a.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
1

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D6817–07
2
Type EPS12
EPS15
EPS19
EPS22
EPS29
EPS39 XPS20 XPS21 XPS26 XPS29 XPS36 XPS48
Density, min., 11.2 (0.70) 14.4 (0.90)18.4 (1.15)21.6 (1.35)28.8 (1.80)38.4 (2.40)19.2 (1.20)20.8 (1.30)25.6 (1.60)28.8 (1.80)35.2 (2.20)48.0 (3.00)
3 3
kg/m (lb/ft )
11.2 (0.70) 14.4 (0.90)18.4 (1.15)21.6 (1.35)28.8 (1.80)38.4 (2.40)19.2 (1.20)20.8 (1.30)25.6 (1.60)28.8 (1.80)35.2 (2.20)48.0 (3.00)
Compressive Resistance, min., 15 (2.2) 25 (3.6) 40 (5.8) 50 (7.3) 75 (10.9) 103 (15.0) 20 (2.9) 35 (5.1) 75 (10.9) 105 (15.2) 160 (23.2) 280 (40.6)
kPa (psi) at 1 %
15 (2.2) 25 (3.6) 40 (5.8) 50 (7.3) 75 (10.9) 103 (15.0) 20 (2.9) 35 (5.1) 75 (10.9) 105 (15.2) 160 (23.2) 280 (40.6)
Compressive Resistance, min., 35 (5.1) 55 (8.0) 90 (13.1) 115 (16.7) 170 (24.7) 241 (35.0) 85 (12.3) 110 (16.0) 185 (26.8) 235 (34.1) 335 (48.6) 535 (77.6)
k
...