IR nr. 2139, Evidence of EPS long term performance and durability as a light weight fill

Abstract

Some 30 years of experience with Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) as a lightweight filling material in Norway have brought about both a wider use on a global scale and the introduction of a number of different design applications. In addition to reduced vertical loads, advantages from using EPS may also include reduced horisonal loads, simplified designs, foundations on EPS and increased speed and ease of performing construction activities. This article, which is partly based on a paper presented by T. E. Frydenlund and R. Aabøe at the international symposium on EPS construction method in Tokyo 1996, describes practical experiences in Norway with long term performance (material behaviour, deformation and creep of EPS) and durability of EPS.