Laboratory Research on EPS Blocks Used in Geotechnical Engineering

Geosynthetic geofoam has a cellular structure made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and has been used as a lightweight material for geotechnical use in embankments, bridges seat, base and sub-base of roads pavements and infrastructure protection applications. This paper presents research data on EPS laboratory tests aiming to characterize Brazilian EPS for geotechnical use. The mechanical tests comprised unconfined axial compression (with variation of temperature, specimens dimensions and rates of deformation velocity), interface shear friction (EPS - EPS) and creep under compressive load. A simple loss weight test by mice attack was also conducted in an attempt to quantify the damage in samples of EPS by biological attack. Samples of 10 kg/m(3), 14.5 kg/m(3), 17 kg/m(3), 20 kg/m(3), 30 kg/m(3) and 40 kg/m(3) densities with virgin material and 10 kg/m(3) with recycled material were used. The results have shown that EPS has a great strength in compression and creep solicitation and high interface friction strength despite its very low density, and good geotechnical properties for applications in geotechnical engineering works. In the weight loss test it was found that the mice only attach the material mainly for a specific situation.