ASTM D6817-11

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-Sep-2011
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• ICS: 83.100 - Cellular materials
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.03 - Permeability and Filtration

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6817-07 - Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM D6817-13 - Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2013

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 −11
StandardSpecification 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. 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 D1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular
Plastics
1.1 This specification covers the types, physical properties
D2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen
anddimensionsofrigidcellularpolystyreneintendedforuseas
Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of
geofoam.
Plastics (Oxygen Index)
1.2 This specification does not cover the layout, placement
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
and workmanship for proper installation and performance of
ASTM Test Methods
rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.3 Rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam covered by this Determine the Precision of a Test Method
specification may need protection from certain chemicals,
3. Terminology
environmental exposure, and concentrated loads. Additional
design considerations may include thermal conductivity and 3.1 Definitions:
buoyancy. Guidelines regarding these end use considerations 3.1.1 Terms used in this specification are defined in Termi-
are included in Appendix X1. nology D4439.
3.1.2 geofoam—block or planar rigid cellular foam poly-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
meric material used in geotechnical engineering applications.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.1 EPS, XX—number designation for expanded polysty-
3
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
rene geofoamType(s) having a minimum density of XX kg/m
3
(lb/ft ).
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.2 XPS, XX—number designation for extruded polysty-
2
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
rene geofoamType(s) having a minimum density of XX kg/m
3
C165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of
(lb/ft ).
Thermal Insulations
3.2.3 RCPS—letter designation for EPS and XPS rigid
C203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Proper-
cellular polystyrene geofoam covered by this specification.
ties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
4. Ordering Information
formed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
4.1 Acquisition documents shall specify the following:
C390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal
4.1.1 Title, number and year of this specification.
Insulation Lots
4.1.2 Type, as per Table 1, or minimum density required.
C578 Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal
4.1.3 Total product volume required of each Type, or
Insulation
minimum density.
D1621 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid
Cellular Plastics
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 RCPS geofoam shall be formed by the expansion of
polystyreneresinbeadsorgranulesinamoldingprocess(EPS)
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
or by the expansion of polystyrene base resin in an extrusion
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on Perme-
ability and Filtration.
process (XPS). RCPS geofoam may be manufactured with
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. Originally
reprocessed polystyrene foam (regrind).
published 2002. Last previous edition published 2007 as D6817—07. DOI:
10.1520/D6817-11.
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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6817−11
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 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) 10
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D6817–07 Designation: D6817 – 11
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. 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
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:
C165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations
C203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Properties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Preformed Block and BoardType Thermal Insulation
C390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal Insulation Lots
C578 Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
D1621 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics
D1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular Plastics
D2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics
(Oxygen Index) Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of
Plastics (Oxygen Index)
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Terms used in this specification are defined in Terminology D4439.
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
3.2.1 EPS, XX—numberdesignationforexpandedpolystyrenegeofoamType(s)havingaminimumdensityofXXkg/m (lb/ft ).
3 3
3.2.2 XPS, XX—number designation for extruded polystyrene geofoamType(s) having a minimum density of XX kg/m (lb/ft ).
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.
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 Dec. 1, 2007. Published December 2007. Originally approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D6817–06a. DOI:
10.1520/D6817-07.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. Originally published 2002. Last previous edition published 2007 as D6817—07. DOI: 10.1520/D6817-11.
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 – 11
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.
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 RCPS geofoam 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). RCPS geofoam may be manufactured with reprocessed
polystyrene foam (regrind).
5.2 RCPS geofoam shall be of uniform density and have essentially closed cells. RCPS geof
...