Specification For Expanded Polysterine

G&P GEOTECHNICS SDN BHD
Specification For Expanded Polystyrene In Ground Improvement Works

7 October 1999
SPECIFICATION FOR EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE

IN GROUND IMPROVEMENT WORKS
1.0 LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS
1.1 Compressive Strength
The compressive strength should be at least 100 kN/m2 if not otherwise specified. The average
value for tested blocks should not be less than 100 kN/m2. The average value for individual
blocks (minimum 6 samples) should not be less than 90 kN/m2 and no single test result should
be less than 80 kN/m2.
If higher strength lightweight materials is required, the average value for tested blocks should at
least be equal to the design compressive strength. The average value for individual blocks
(minimum 6 samples) should not be less than 90% of the design strength and no single test
result should be less than 80% of the design strength.
The compressive strength is defined as the stress at 5% strain measured in an unconfined

compression apparatus. Tests should be made on sample of size 50 x 50 x 50 mm. The
number of blocks to be tested is given in table 1.
1.2 Dimension
The shortest side of any block should at least be 0.5m if not otherwise specified. The block
length should at least be 2.5 m. Block sides should be plane and at right angles to each other.
Tolerance levels for given dimensions (length, width, height) should be within +/- 1%. Block
surfaces should not deviate from a plane surface with more than 5 mm measured with a 3 m
straightedge. For test frequency see clause 3.1.
Differences in heights between adjacent blocks in the same layer should not exceed 5
mm. Particular care should be taken if the blocks are delivered from different producers.
1.3 Flammability (NOT USED)
Lightweight materials used shall be of self extinguishing quality (SE quality).
SE quality blocks should have an oxygen index > 25 as described in ASTM D-2863, or grading
B1 according to DIN specifications.
2.0 CONSTRUCTION OF LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS FILLS
2.1 Evenness Requirements
Before placing the bottom layer, the subsoil should be levelled according to the tolerances +/-
50 mm. Deviations in the subsoil stratum from an even surface should be 10 mm or less
measured with a 3 m straightedge. The required evenness of the stratum may be achieved by
pulling a straightedge across the subsoil surface (e.g. a heavy ladder pulled by hand).
When placing the lightweight materials-blocks, a continuous check should be kept to ensure
that the evenness of the blocks are satisfactory in each layer. The importance of this factor
increases with the height of the fill.
EPS1
7 October 1999
2.2 Placing and Adjusting the Blocks
When more than one layer is applied, the lightweight materials-blocks in different layers should
be placed at right angles to each other in order to avoid continuous vertical joints.
The shape of the blocks may easily be adjusted by hand or chainsaw in order to accommodate
the shape of structures. Small gaps (less than 2-3 cm) may be accepted in such cases and
when blocks are placed at different angles (i.e. in curves). Larger gaps should be filled with
sand or light expanded clay aggregate ("Leca"), but gaps larger than 5 cm are not permitted.
2.3 End Adjustments and Varying Slopes
The different layers in an lightweight materials fill should be parallel to the pavement
construction. Sloping end adjustments along the road should be accomplished by levelling
terraces in the subsoil in accordance with the block thickness. End adjustments using
lightweight materials chips or thin boards should not occur.
2.4 Side Slopes / Coverage
For fills with normal side slopes of 1:1.5 or 1:2, the side slope of the lightweight materials fill
should not be steeper than 1:1.
All types of fill materials may be used on side slopes. The minimum thickness should be at least
250 mm. If the lightweight materials blocks are protected by polyethylene foil/membrane or
equivalent, the foil/membrane should be placed in contact with the block surface and covered
with a geotextile cloth before applying the covering materials. Clay or well graded, fine grained,
non-cohesive material (no stones) should then be used next to the geotextile.
Where membrane or geotextile is specified to protect lightweight materials blocks from solvent
such as petrol, the membrane or geotextile should have a thickness of at least 0.3 mm and be
inert to petrol and other solving agents.
2.5 Concrete Slab
A minimum 100mm thick reinforcement concrete slab shall be cast directly on the lightweight
materials blocks.
The concrete mix should be designed for a strength of Grade 25 or better. A welded steel
reinforcement grid should place in the middle of the slab. Reinforcing bars of the grid should
have a diameter of 5 mm placed at 150mm c/c. The grids should be produced in sizes 2 x 5 m
and placed with overlap according to BS 8110.
3.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE
3.1 Quality Control
Selection of blocks for quality control should be made at random, but evenly distributed among
any sets of blocks. The frequency when testing for material strength shall be shown in table 1.
Block dimensions and evenness should be checked on one block for every 25 blocks.
Requirements regarding evenness and level of subsoil surface below the lightweight materials
should be checked in a cross section profile for every 10 m of road.
EPS2
7 October 1999
Table 1
Size of Fill No. of Blocks to be Tested
< 500m3 Minimum 3 blocks
500 -1000m3 Minimum 5 blocks
> 1000m3 Minimum 5 blocks per 1000 m3
3.2 Documentation of Quality from Producer
The Contractor shall produce documents giving details of the quality assurance system applied
in the production process. Quality certificates should be submitted for blocks delivered on site.
Sample testing should be performed according to clause 3.1 by an approval laboratory before
the blocks are placed in the fill.
EPS3
Specification For Expanded Polystyrene Used In Ground Improvement Works
7 October 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description Page
1.0 LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS.................................................................................................... EPS1

1.1 Compressive Strength ................................................................................................ EPS1
1.2 Dimension ................................................................................................................... EPS1
1.3 Flammability ................................................................................................................ EPS1
2.0 CONSTRUCTION OF LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS FILLS..................................................... EPS1
2.1 Evenness Requirements ............................................................................................. EPS1
2.2 Placing and Adjusting the Blocks ................................................................................ EPS2
2.3 End Adjustments and Varying Slopes ......................................................................... EPS2
2.4 Side Slopes/Coverage ................................................................................................ EPS2
2.5 Concrete Slab .............................................................................................................EPS2
3.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE ........................................................................................................... EPS2
3.1 Quality control ............................................................................................................. EPS3
3.2 Documentation of Quality from Producer .................................................................... EPS3
EPS i

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G&P GEOTECHNICS SDN BHD

Specification For Expanded Polystyrene In Ground Improvement Works

SPECIFICATION FOR EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE

1.0 LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS

1.1 Compressive Strength

The compressive strength is defined as the stress at 5% strain measured in an unconfined

1.3 Flammability (NOT USED)

Lightweight materials used shall be of self extinguishing quality (SE quality).

2.0 CONSTRUCTION OF LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS FILLS

2.1 Evenness Requirements

2.2 Placing and Adjusting the Blocks

2.3 End Adjustments and Varying Slopes

2.4 Side Slopes / Coverage

2.5 Concrete Slab

3.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE

3.1 Quality Control

< 500m3 Minimum 3 blocks

500 -1000m3 Minimum 5 blocks

> 1000m3 Minimum 5 blocks per 1000 m3

3.2 Documentation of Quality from Producer

1.0 LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS.................................................................................................... EPS1

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