Sundolitt manufactures large scale expanded polystyrene blocks, which are widely used in civil engineering, construction, void-fill and landscaping projects.
These blocks, which have an extraordinary load-bearing capacity, provide an extremely cost-effective method of building embankments beside motorways, for road construction or widening, for bridge abutments, retaining walls, flyovers and so on. They are also widely used as lightweight void-fill in landscaping projects.
EPS blocks weigh around 1% of the weight of traditional fill materials.
Sundolitt blocks are available in a variety of densities, levels of compressive stress and block sizes.
The standard block sizes are:
- 2400 x 1200 x 1000mm (2.88m³) trimmed
- 2457 x 1225 x 1030mm (3.10m³) untrimmed
- other dimensions available on request
Resistance to water ingress
EPS is non-hygroscopic - it does not readily absorb or retain moisture from the atmosphere.
Samples recovered from a project in which the EPS was placed in the ground in the 1970's showed:
- EPS recovered from just 200mm above the groundwater level all had less than 1% water content by volume
- Samples recovered from EPS which is periodically entirely submerged showed less than 4% water content
On-site storage
On-site, EPS does not require dry, indoor storage and does not become friable or saturated.
Durability
EPS is rot-proof and extremely durable and will continue to provide effective insulation throughout the life of the building. EPS is fully proven in demanding building applications, for over 30 years and has the enduring strength essential for long-term structural integrity.
Strength tests performed on EPS which has been in the ground since the Seventies, show that it is just as strong today - the tested strength routinely exceeding the original minimum design strength.
The Norwegian Public Road Administration concludes a report on the 'Long-term performance and durability of EPS' by saying "No deficiencies are to be expected from EPS fills placed in the ground over a normal life cycle of 100 years."
Other key features of Sundolitt EPS blocks:
- EPS blocks can be manufactured with different levels of mechanical strength, relative to the required load bearing application
- Sundolitt offers 4 standard design loads of 7,000; 10,000; 15,000 and 20,000 kg / m²
- Other specifications available on request
- EPS is 98% air, making it very easy to transport the large blocks
- EPS blocks weigh around 1% of the weight of traditional fill materials
- Accordingly, they impose much lower load pressures on the subsoil and any underlying services
- Blocks can quickly and easily be manoeuvred into place without heavy lifting equipment, reducing on-site handling time and labour costs
- EPS blocks do not require to be compacted and do not lose any volume to compaction (as some other lightweight fill materials do)
- Blocks can easily be cut on-site, or contoured to specific landscape requirements
- No special cutting equipment or protective clothing is required
- EPS has no nutritional value and so, does not support fungal, bacteriological or animal growth.
- It is non-toxic, inert and contains no chlorofluorocarbons - CFCs or hydrochlorofluorocarbons - HCFCs
- Sundolitt EPS is available in Euroclass e - self-extinguishing
- EPS waste is extremely versatile and can be recycled in a number of ways, or used as a fuel for power generation
NPRA Report - Long Term Performance and Durability of EPS as a Lightweight Fill
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