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Expanded Polystyrene High-Density Foam Blocks for Infrastructure Solutions by Foamex

Polystyrene void-filling material for road embankment

In building and construction, expanded polystyrene high-density foam blocks are mainly used for insulation. In 1972, the Norwegian Public Roads Authorities approved the use of expanded polystyrene as a light in weight, void-filling material for road embankments. The shift to expanded polystyrene was based on a research project involving the frost action in soil and the reconstruction of road embankments adjacent to the bridge.

Project records revealed a settlement rate of more than 200mm per year occurred for embankments that are resting on a 3m layer of peat above a 10m of soft marine clay. Workers then replaced the 1m of conventional embankment materials with two layers of expanded polystyrene, each layer with a 0.5mm thickness, which prevented the settlement rate.

Since then, expanded polystyrene high-density foam blocks became one of the staple materials in most civil engineering works. Apart from reduced vertical loads, expanded polystyrene sheets also offer the following benefits:

  • Reduced side loads
  • High compressive strength
  • Streamlined construction time
  • Limited frost pavement damage
  • Resistant to chemical and water infiltration, traction, slipping and flexion
  • Friction coefficient



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03 9720 4200

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03 9720 4200

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