ASTM D7180/D7180M-05(2021)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D7180/D7180M − 05 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Guide for
Use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam in
Geotechnical Projects
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7180/D7180M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This guide covers some of the basic considerations for
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam in geotechni-
D6817/D6817M Specification for Rigid Cellular Polysty-
cal projects.
rene Geofoam
1.2 This guide offers a collection of information and does
not recommend a course of action. This guide cannot replace
3. Terminology
educationorexperienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwith
3.1 Definitions—Terms used in this guide are defined in
professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be
Terminology D4439.
applicable in all circumstances.
3.1.1 geofoam, n—block or planar rigid cellular foam poly-
1.3 This guide is not intended to represent or replace the
meric material used in geotechnical engineering applications.
standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
service must be judged, nor should this guide be applied
3.2.1 expanded polystyrene, n—type of foamed plastic
without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects.
formed by the expansion of polystyrene resin beads in a
1.4 Theword“standard”inthetitleofthisguidemeansonly
molding process.
that this guide has been approved through the ASTM Interna-
3.3 Acronyms:
tional consensus process.
3.3.1 EPS, n—expanded polystyrene.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
3.3.2 EPS geofoam, n—rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
manufactured from EPS.
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be 4. Summary of Guide
used independently of the other, and values from the two
4.1 EPS geofoam is commonly used in geotechnical appli-
systems shall not be combined.
cations when an extremely lightweight material is required.
This guide covers some of the considerations that must be
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the evaluated in the design of these projects.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 This guide informs the user of design considerations in
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor- the use of EPS geofoam which assist in the determination of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- the appropriate EPS geofoam for geotechnical applications.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.2 This guide does not preclude the judgment and practice
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
of those competent in geotechnical design.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6. Design Principles
6.1 Design Considerations:
6.1.1 Compressive Properties:
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.06 on Geosynthetic Specifi-
cations. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published May 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D7180/D7180M – 05 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
ɛ1
(2013) . DOI: 10.1520/D7180_D7180M-05R21. the ASTM website.
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D7180/D7180M − 05 (2021)
6.1.1.1 The compressive resistance of EPS geofoam is 6.1.7 Buoyancy—EPS is a lightweight material with a
covered by Specification D6817/D6817M. The compressive closed cell structure that does not allow for significant water
resistance for geofoam is specified in Specification D6817/ absorption. The buoyancy must be fully accounted for in
D6817M and includes the compressive behavior of EPS designs that include the use of EPS geofoam in submerged
geofoam at 1, 5, and 10 % strain. applications. This should include the potential for 100-year
flood events. Common methods to counteract buoyancy are the
6.1.1.2 Atypical limit for many EPS geofoam projects is to
use of sufficient overburden or mechanical restraint.
consider the compressive resistance at 1 % strain. The com-
6.1.8 Thermal Insulation Properties—The thermal insulat-
pressive behavior at 1 % strain is within the elastic region of
ing properties of EPS must be considered in areas subject to
EPSgeofoamandprovidesacceptableshort-termdeflectionsin
freezing temperatures. In these areas, a sufficient cover of
addition to limiting long-term creep deformation.
traditional fill material must be provided above the EPS
6.1.1.3 Creep deformations must be accounted for when
geofoam to reduce differential surface icing between EPS
long-term loads exceed the compressive resistance at 1 %
...