Geofoam

Geofoam is expanded polystyrene (EPS) or extruded polystyrene (XPS) manufactured into large lightweight blocks. The blocks vary in size but are often 2 m x 0.75 m x 0.75 m. The primary function of geofoam is that of separation typically between foundation soils and an overlying highway or parking lot. Geofoam is also used in much broader applications, the major ones being as lightweight fill, compressible inclusions, thermal insulation, and (when appropriately formed) drainage. [Koerner, R. M. (2005), Designing With Geosynthetics, 5th Edition, Pearson Prentice-Hall Publ. Co., Upper Saddle River, NJ, 785 pgs.]

It should be noted that the area of geofoam can nicely seque into geocombs, previously called ultralight cellular structures which Horvath [Horvath, J. S., Proceedings International Geotechnical Symposium on Polystyrene Foam in Below-Ground Applications, New York, Manhattan College, May 1995.] defines as “any manufactured material created by an extrusion process that results in a final product that consists of numerous open-ended tubes that are glued, bonded, fused or otherwise bundled together.” The cross-sectional geometry of an individual tube typically has a simple geometric shape (circle, ellipse, hexagon, octagon, etc.) and is of the order of 25 mm across. The overall cross-section of the assemblage of bundled tubes resembles a honeycomb that gives rise to its name. Presently, only rigid polymers (polypropylene and PVC) have also been used as geocomb material.

ee also

*Geosynthetic

References