GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
(OP)
I'm thinking about using a geofoam product (EPS) on a ramp going up to a parking garage deck and the ramp is bounded by precast walls on either side.
The use of the EPS under the slab will help to keep vertical settlements down as I can balance the excavation and depth of foam to keep the net increase in pressure under control.
What I haven't found yet is what the lateral pressures on these walls might be if I use the geo foam product. I plan to stack the foam to produce a sort of pyramid of soil under the ramp and wedges of geofoam extending up from the base of the walls and getting wider as you go up. Trying to minimize the amount of foam to buy as it is more expensive than compacted fill.
If I produce a wedge of foam on a 1.5H to 1.0V slope would the lateral pressure on the walls be essentially zero?
The use of the EPS under the slab will help to keep vertical settlements down as I can balance the excavation and depth of foam to keep the net increase in pressure under control.
What I haven't found yet is what the lateral pressures on these walls might be if I use the geo foam product. I plan to stack the foam to produce a sort of pyramid of soil under the ramp and wedges of geofoam extending up from the base of the walls and getting wider as you go up. Trying to minimize the amount of foam to buy as it is more expensive than compacted fill.
If I produce a wedge of foam on a 1.5H to 1.0V slope would the lateral pressure on the walls be essentially zero?





RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
If you use a lightweight fill, such as Elastizell or other cellular concrete, the lateral pressure would then be zero.
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
I agree if I put a vertical board of EPS on the wall the soil behind the EPS will simply transmit the pressure sideways.
But as you progressively change that "vertical rectangle" of EPS into a triangular shape with the diagonal extending from the base of the wall upwards and away from the wall it seems like the lateral pressure will diminish in some progressive pattern.
At 1.5:1 I would think my soil beyond the wall is essentially a stable pile of dirt (think pyramid) and there'd be only lateral force from the ...ahem...technical term coming....squishyness of the EPS (poisson's ratio activity).
I will probably have to contact someone who makes this stuff and see if there is data on this but thought I'd cast it out here in ET land to see what others know.
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
If you need more information - please do not hesitte to touch base with me at geofoam@insulfoam.com
Nico Sutmoller
Geofoam Specialist
geofoam@insulfoam.com
www.insulfoam.com
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
What about the surcharge load from the traffic? Seems to me that force will still transmit to the wall regardless of the presence of the foam.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
http://w
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
I'm not sure I'd want to use shotcrete on the foam per the article you linked to DAVIDGF.
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
DAVIDGF is absolutely correct in his statement and fully concur about the use of a shotcrete finish on the vertical face of the blocks instead of cast in place or precast concrete panels to further reduce costs on any project.
Nico Sutmoller
Geofoam Specialist
geofoam@insulfoam.com
www.insulfoam.com
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
I can't use shotcrete as we are abutting a precast structure and have to match it.
With a separate PC wall - you refer to a load distribution slab. Does this have to be a separate slab below the upper fill & pavement or can the upper pavement serve for both? In other words, I'd have a thick pavement above, granular base, then granular or select fill, perhaps a poly barrier on top of the EPS, then the EPS. Any thoughts?
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
Generally when a LDS is used we place the granular base over the LDS and then your final pavement - when using a LDS you probably will not need a poly barrier. Just wondering as to where the project is located and is this a commercial or DOT project as that may or may not have an influence.
Nico Sutmoller
Geofoam Specialist
geofoam@insulfoam.com
www.insulfoam.com
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
RE: GeoFoam - lateral pressure on walls
www.insulfoam.com