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Flowable Fill, Geofoam to Reduce Pressure on Foundation?

Flowable Fill, Geofoam to Reduce Pressure on Foundation?

Flowable Fill, Geofoam to Reduce Pressure on Foundation?

(OP)
I'm looking for specifications, recommendations on reducing soil pressure against a poured foundation wall with inadequate reinforcing to support backfill to it's 10 ft height.  What are the specifications(weight) for flowable fill and does it need to be poured as a seperate wall from the foundation or can it be used as backfill?
Thanks,
H C Cook

RE: Flowable Fill, Geofoam to Reduce Pressure on Foundation?

Check out www.elastizell.com .  It is a very lightweight foamed cement/mortar - about 30 pcf with better than soil compressive strengths.  You would pour it in, say, 2 ft lifts so then the formwork would be minimal.  They have specfications for the product (out of Ann Arbor Michigan) - I've used it before and had good success.  Also, do a search of Horvath Geofoam and you should get some hits about the use of geofoam.

RE: Flowable Fill, Geofoam to Reduce Pressure on Foundation?

Flowable fill can be used as backfill, we have used it often in situations where future excavation may be required, such as backfill over an electrical ductbank. Here is a link to general information
http://www.gcpa.org/flowable_fill.htm

here is a typical specification
http://www.gcpa.org/FlowableFillSpec.pdf

please note that it is not a lightweight material at 90 to 125 lb/ft^3

www.SlideRuleEra.net

RE: Flowable Fill, Geofoam to Reduce Pressure on Foundation?

Munster1,

To expand on BigH's point, elastizell is avalable in a range of densities. Obviously, lighter may be more expensive and have less strength. As with other flowable fills, it does become self-supporting after it sets up.

Jeff

Jeffrey T. Donville, PE
TTL Associates, Inc.
www.ttlassoc.com

RE: Flowable Fill, Geofoam to Reduce Pressure on Foundation?

(OP)
Okay, thanks for the info.
We were thinking of erecting a form for the flowable fill away from the foundation and filling in between with something to keep soil pressure off the wall.  We need about 25-28 pcf or less to make the wall work.  Elastizell sounds interesting, does anyone know how the costs work out versus Geofoam?

Thanks,
H C Cook

RE: Flowable Fill, Geofoam to Reduce Pressure on Foundation?

Why not contact Leo Legatski at Elastizell directly?  I have always found him quite helpful.

RE: Flowable Fill, Geofoam to Reduce Pressure on Foundation?

Would it be easier to form up and pour a new wall with the proper reinforcing right next to the existing wall?

RE: Flowable Fill, Geofoam to Reduce Pressure on Foundation?

I found the folks at both elasizell and Voton to be helpfull specifications and design properties. I believe that the geofoam will typically come out less expensive but does have a few design issues.  Contact NCHRP regarding geofoam report (Or Timothy Stark at Univ. of Ill.).

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