Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is a closed cell, durable foam that's been successfully used as geosynthetic material & below grade insulation for many decades. EPS Geofoam is about 100 times lighter than soils and reacts to applied loads very differently, greatly reducing gravity loads and lateral loads on retaining walls. Fast to install even in the rain, Geofoam EPS-blocks arrive at the jobsite ready to place, cut to size per approved drawings. If additional fitting at the site is required, it's easy with portable hot wire cutters.
Functions & Applications
EPS foam has a number of remarkable properties such as very low densities, thermal conductivity, and Poisson's ratio , plus no rupture point in compression. Small-strain functions of EPS Geofoam are the most commonly used and include:
- Lightweight Fill: reduce settlement and earth stresses under both gravity & seismic loading by a factor of up to 100
- Thermal Insulation: reduce heat flows
- Vibration & Noise Damping: reduce the magnitude of oscillations
EPS foam's cellular structure also permits using extraordinary strain ranges in excess of 10%. The primary large-strain function of EPS Geofoam is:
- Compressible Inclusion: reduce seismic loads on earth-retaining structures & utilities, and stresses on slabs/grade-beams/utilities from expansive soils
These functions can be employed in numerous Applications:
Under Highways, Roads over Poor Soils, Bridge Abutments, Bridge Underfill, Slope Stabilization, Culverts, Pipeline & Utility Protection, Road & Rail Embankments, Foundation & Retaining Wall Backfill + Seismic Buffer, Fill for Landscaping & Green Roofs, Compensating Foundations, Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations, Greenhouse/Cooler Foundations, Concrete Form Liners, Stadium & Theater Seating, Levees, Airport Taxiways & more
Geofoam Tech. Summary CSC/CSI Specifications Design Guide
Infrastructure Projects
- Pattullo Bridge Replacement, Surrey/New Westminster BC 2024
- Oakridge Centre Redevelopment, Vancouver BC 2024
- Coquihalla Highway Flood Repairs, Hope-Merritt BC 2023
- Highway 11 & Vye Road Overpass, Abbotsford BC 2023
- 200 Street, Hwy 1 Ramp Replacement, Langley BC 2022
- Burnaby Lake North Intercepter, Burnaby BC 2021
- Halfway River Bridge, Fort St. John BC 2020
- #10 and Pacific Hwy, Surrey BC 2019
- 80th Avenue Extension, Langley BC 2018
- 72nd Avenue Overpass, Surrey BC 2018
- Deltaport Terminal, Delta/Tsawassen BC 2014
- Mufford / 64th Overpass, Surrey/Langley BC 2014
- 152nd Street Overpass, Surrey BC 2013
- South Fraser Perimeter Road, Surrey/Delta BC 2013
- Roberts Bank Rail Corridor, Langley/Surrey BC 2013
- Pitt River Bridge, Port Coquitlam/Pitt Meadows BC 2009
- Golden Ears Bridge, Maple Ridge/Langley BC 2008
- Kelowna Bridge, Kelowna BC 2007
Specify Geofoam
CSC/CSI Specifications Geofoam Tech. Summary Design Guide Shallow Foundations Multi-Function Overview Geofoam Durability Seismic Buffer Code Evaluation Report incl. ICC-ES AC452 Geofoam for Interior Floors, Intertek Listed & Inspected
National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP):
Geofoam for Highway Embankments
Geofoam for Slope Stability Projects
Lateral Pressure Reduction on Earth-Retaining Structures Using Geofoam, Dr. John S. Horvath P.E. March 2018
Additional Properties for all Types
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) resists mold & fungi growth per ASTM C1338 and has no nutritional value for insects. To protect against insects/termites and water-vapor, place adequate physical barriers such as membranes around below-grade EPS. Where needed use adequate drainage to limit water absorption; Capillarity: None
Poisson's Ratio: ν ≈0.12 within the elastic range
Coefficient of Friction: μ ≈0.5-0.7 along clean faces
Max. Service Temperature: Long-Term Exposure 75°C [167°F], Intermittent Exposure 80°C [176°F];
Thermal expansion coefficient:
Solubility: Insoluble in water and in general chemically inert. EPS dissolves in hydrocarbons (e.g. fuels, oils, tar), organic solvents (e.g. acetone/ketones, benzene, paint thinner), ethers, esters, aldehydes and amines. UV-light surface degradation: white EPS can be exposed to direct sunlight for a few weeks. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light creates a yellow dust on the surface of EPS which has negligible impact on the products' properties but may require removal before adhering other materials such as coatings or self-adhesive membranes.
Surface Burning Characteristics Canada CAN/ULC-S102.2: Flame-Spread Rating ≤295, Smoke Developed Classification over 500. USA ASTM E84 (UL 723): Flame Spread Index ≤25, Smoke-Developed Index ≤450 up to 6" thick
Limiting Oxygen Index: min. 24% per ASTM D2863. Airfoam's EPS for construction use contains a polymeric (non-HBCD) fire retardant modifier.
CAUTION: EPS products are combustible and must not be exposed to excessive heat, sparks, open flames, or any other sources of ignition. If stored/used in closed containers, confined, or low-lying areas, ensure adequate ventilation to prevent accumulation of flammable pentane vapours. Prevent inhalation of smoke, fumes or dust from burning or fabrication activities. GHS Classification: Non-Hazardous, see SDS and Fire Safety Bulletin
Circular Economy Solution
Seedling Trays are used for a few plant growing seasons and returned to us for reuse as void-fill, e.g. under landscaping. Contact Us for Used Trays
Solid Void Fill with Higher Recycled Content
Korolite® EPS with higher recycled content than Geofoam can be custom-sized for use as void fill:
¹ The test methods used to determine the material properties provide a means of comparing different cellular plastic thermal insulations. They are intended for use in specifications, product evaluations and quality control, but they are not intended to predict end-use product performance. ² Values are for 1 inch or 25mm thick samples with natural skins intact. Better values will result for thicker materials. ³ R means resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. 4 The elastic limit is between 1% and 2% strain. Compressive resistances at 10% strain are provided for applications where the intended end-use can tolerate plastic (permanent) deformation under load. 5 The lab-test methods for water absorption use complete submersion under a head of water for 24 or 96 hours, so the values are applicable to specific design requirements only when the end-use conditions are similar to test method
requirements. b not part of all the industry consensus standards (ASTM C578, CAN/ULC-S701) and provided AS-IS solely for informational purposes
Additional Properties of EPS
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) has no nutritional value for organisms and resists mold & fungi growth per ASTM C1338. To protect against animals place adequate physical barriers such as bug-screens or membranes around EPS.
Max. Service Temperature: Long-Term Exposure 75°C [167°F], Intermittent Exposure 80°C [176°F]
Thermal Expansion coefficient:
Solubility: Insoluble in water and in general chemically inert. EPS dissolves in hydrocarbons (e.g. fuels, oils, tar), organic solvents (e.g. acetone/ketones, benzene, paint thinner), ethers, esters, aldehydes and amines. Capillarity: None
UV-light surface degradation: white EPS can be exposed to direct sunlight for a few weeks. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light creates a yellow dust on the surface of EPS products which has negligible impact on the products' properties but may require removal before adhering other materials such as stucco or self-adhesive membranes.
Surface Burning Characteristics Canada CAN/ULC-S102.2: Flame-Spread Rating ≤295, Smoke Developed Classification over 500. USA Class A (NFPA 101), ASTM E84 (UL 723)ª: Flame Spread Index ≤25, Smoke-Developed Index ≤450 up to 6" thick
Limiting Oxygen Index: min. 24% per ASTM D2863. Airfoam's EPS for construction applications contains a polymeric (non-HBCD) fire retardant modifier.
CAUTION: EPS products are combustible and must not be exposed to excessive heat, sparks, open flames, or any other sources of ignition. A protective barrier or thermal barrier is required as specified in the appropriate building code. If stored/used in closed containers, confined, or low-lying areas, ensure adequate ventilation to prevent accumulation of flammable pentane vapours. Prevent inhalation of smoke, fumes or dust from burning or fabrication activities. GHS Classification: Non-Hazardous, see SDS
ª Ceiling measurement only, conducted through determination of flame spread index and smoke-developed index with the removal of any contribution of molten materials ignited on the floor of the Steiner tunnel.