Use of Geofoam

for reduction of swelling pressures

of expansive soils

By Dr.A.S.Nene
 What is Geofoam ?

Geofoam can be defined as any manufactured material

created by some expansion process that results in foam
with a texture of closed gas filled cells
 Physical properties of EPS foam
Property Range
Density kg/cu.m 11.2-28.8
Compressive strength kPa 35 -170
Flexural strength kPa 69-345
Water absorption % 2-4
 Functions
ØThermal insulation,

Ølight weight fill,

ØCompressible inclusion

ØVibration damping,

ØFluid transmission
ØSuper light weight fill

Ø High strength to density ratio

ØPredictable material behavior

ØManufacture as per ASTM D6817

ØAvailable in various sizes

ØNo leachates
ØVolume stability

ØInert under long term burial conditions

ØTermite resistant

ØEasily shaped in field and plant

ØAvailable throughout India

 APPLICATION

Transportation / Earthworks

Embankments, Side-Hill fill, Bridge Approach

abutments,
general fill roads, parking, Median and sound barrier

Architecture- landscape, plaza decks, bermed

structures,

Buildings - Structural fill, foundation walls

other Applications - Flood control leaves, dikes/berms,

vibration isolation
 12

10

Expansive soil
8
Stress

Geofoam
6

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Compression or free swell

Light weight fill
Geofoam between retaining wall and backfill
Ground line

Geofoam over conduits

 Basement
Geofoam

Drain Geofoam

Geofoam as thermal insulator

 CASE HISTORIES

Geofoam to reduce lateral pressures on retaining

wall, Caraosel centre, Syracuse New York
Geofoam on infill for plaza Chicago
 Project : Hanging Lake Tunnel
Light weight fill on ventilation facility
Vehicle emergency escape ramp
Lightweight fill applications
Taxiway & Extension ,
New Orleans LA
Slope Stabilization on
route 23A Jewett, NY
 GEOFOAM CLASSIFICATION

The most commonly used foams are grouped according

to,
• Chemical composition.
• Rigidity
• Manufacturing method

Geofoam are made from any one of the following material

– Polyethylene,
– Polyisocyanurate,
– Polystyrene / Polystyrol
– Polyurethane (product is known as PUF)
 LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
ON GEOFOAM

Extensive laboratory investigations were

carried out during 1993 to 1999

at VNIT Nagpur.
 These investigations can be grouped
under three heads;

1. A Series: Compressible horizontal sheets (CHS) in

small moulds

2. B Series: Vertical Compressible Cylindrical

Elements (VCCE) in small moulds

3. C Series: Model footing tests in a large RCC tank

using both HCS and VCCE
 CONFIGURATION OF MODULDS FOR
LABORATORY TESTING

Abrv standard laboratory Dia Height

moulds mm mm
CR consolidation rings 65 20

SP Proctor mould 100 117

CBR CBR mould 150 150

The soils used in these investigations

Ølocally available black cotton soil (BC)

Øbentonite and fly-ash (BF64) in 60:40

Øbentonite and fly-ash (BF55) in 50:50

proportion by dry weight.

 Table - The properties of these soils

Property Type of Soil

BC BF64 BF55
Gravel % 6.45 0 0
Sand % 10.25 0 0
Silt % 67.30 15 15
Clay fraction 16.00 85 85
LL % 62 472 378
PL % 27 322 257
SL % 15 19 22
DFS % 30 140 112
Max. D.D kN/cum LC 14.6 12.6 12.30
HC 18.0 15.2 15.00
OMC % LC 18 30.0 30.0
HC 14 22.5 22.5
 Compaction

The soil was compacted as per light compaction or

Heavy compaction procedure
(as per I.S. 2720 part 7 and 8 respectively).
 TYPE OF GEOFOAM
The Geofoam used in these investigations was
Polyethylene foam (trademark Profeel).

The Geofoam sheets of thickness 2 to 18

mm were used as HCS
and VCCE element were prepared by
rolling 1 mm sheet and sealing the end
to form cylindrical elements of 5.12 or 18
mm diameter. The properties of the
Geofoam used are shown in a table 2
 PROPERTIES OF GEOFOAM

PROPERTIES VALUES
Structure Expanded Cell

Polymer Polyethylene
Tensile strength 300- 400 kPa
Modulus of 10 -14 kPa
Elasticity
Comp. Strength 19 kPa
@ 10%

Unit weight 34 kg /cum

SWELLING PRESSURE TESTS:

The swelling pressures of saturated soils were measured

by constant volume method for series A and B. For
series C the pressure at which vertical deformation was
zero was taken as maximum swelling pressure.

SWELLING PRESSURE VS. HEAVE

For all soils swelling pressure vs. Heave data was

obtained to predict probable swelling pressure of soil
with Geofoam.
 Lab. Test Results- Series A
Soil HCS Geofoam Swelling pressure (kPa)
Compaction Thickness
mould (mm) Measured Predicted
BC-LC-SP 12 8 14
BCHC-SP 12 14 20
14
BC-LC-CR 4 10 15
BC-HC-CR 2 30 34
BC-HC-CR 4 20 28
BF-LC-SP 12 16 30
BF-HC-SP 12 25 40
BC- Black cotton soil, BF- Bentonite fly-ash, LC- light
compaction, HC- Heavy compaction, SP-Standard proctor
mould, CR – Consolidation ring
Lab. Test Results- Series B
 Large scale Test Results- Series C

Soil: The soil used for the final investigations was

of Bentonite Fly ash mixture in . 50:50. proportion
(BF55) The properties of the soil are already
reported in Table 1

Model footing :The model footings were square &

circular of 150 mm. size fabricated from 8mm
thick M.S. sheet plates. . The depth to width ratios
(D/B) selected were, 0.5, 1 & 1.5. In all the tests
the model footings were placed at the centre of
the loading area and the load was applied at the
exact centre of the footing
 Placement of Geo-foam:

A) Horizontal layers: The horizontal geo-foam layer,

at desired depth was placed during the
compaction process i.e. while the tank is being
filled. After assuring its proper placement, further
layers of soil were placed over it, to give the
embedment effect.

B) Vertical cylindrical geo-foam elements. : The

placement of VCCE was done, around the footing.
To ensure the proper placement, at the desired
position, small bores were done with the help of
hollow cylindrical tubes of the required external
diameters, & then the Geo-foam in the form of
VCCE, was placed inside the hole.
Test Data from Series B
 Test Procedure for C Series

Preparation of Soil
Filling of test tank
Placement of Geofoam
Arrangement for load applications
Arrangement for heave measurement
Field Test Setup
TANK CONSTRUCTION
Load and heave measurement
Accessories for tank filling
Inner Tank with holes
TANK FILLED WITH SOIL
Instrumentation
Filling of outer tank with water
Periodic Observations
Results of Series C
 Conclusions
1-General

1. Magnitude of swelling pressure decreases with

volumetric permitted expansion.

2. Volumetric expansion can be provided in the form of

compressible intrusion.

3. The compressible intrusion can be in the form of

horizontal sheet or vertical cylinder of Geofoam.

4. There is substantial reduction in swelling pressure due to

these intrusions.
 2- Vertical Swelling

1. Reduction of swelling pressure increases with the

thickness of Geofoam sheet.

2. The optimum depth ratio of placement of sheet is

0.5

3. The optimum size ratio (Bg / Bf) of sheet is 2.0.

4. The probable swelling pressure of soil can be

predicted by superimposing stress-strain graph of
Geofoam and swell pressure vs. permissible heave.

5. Good co-relation between experimental and

predicted values of swell pressures.
 3- Lateral swelling

1. The swelling pressure of soil can be reduced by

permitting the soil to expand laterally by providing
vertical intrusions.

2. This technique is more suitable for rehabilitation of

existing structure on expansive soils.

3. Reduction of swelling pressure increases with size

and number of vertical intrusions.

4. For accurate prediction of swelling pressure a more

rigorous analysis of stress- strain behavior of
swelling soil and Geofoam is necessary
 References

Nene A.S. and Daigavane (1995) " Use of

Geosynthetics for Reduction of Swelling Pressures
"Fifth International Conference on Geotextiles,
Geomembranes and related Products, Singapore, 5-9
September 1994,p 331-334.

Nene, A.S. and Daigavane (1996) "Reduction of

Swelling Pressures by Use of Vertical Compressible
Geosynthetics Elements" First International
Conference on Unsaturated Soil, Paris 6-8 September,
Vol. I pp 263-270
 For any suggestions

Contact
Dr.A.S.Nene
M4 Laxmi Nagar,
Nagpur (India) 440022
Email: nene_ashok@yahoo.com