Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 24

Protecting EPS geofoam block with EIA geomembranes
projects is its susceptibility to damage
when exposed to hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbons are organic compounds
commonly found in petroleum-based
products such as gasoline, diesel, oil and
other chemical substances. When these
hydrocarbons come into contact with
EPS geofoam, they can cause the material
to deteriorate, leading to structural
instability and reduced performance
over time.
The detrimental effects of hydrocarbons
on EPS geofoam are significant,
potentially compromising the
structural integrity and performance
of construction projects as time passes.
Hydrocarbons can penetrate the foam
material, leading to degradation, reduced
strength and increased susceptibility to
chemical attack. As such, proactive measures
must be taken to shield EPS geofoam
from exposure to hydrocarbons,
particularly in projects where such risks
are prevalent.
FIGURE 2 Excavated slope lined with
EIA/KEE-reinforced geomembrane.
EPS geofoam is placed onto the
geomembrane. EPS geofoam is
covered with a vapor barrier then the
geomembrane is wrapped over the EPS
geofoam and sealed, encapsulating
all of the EPS geofoam in a petroleum
resistant EIA/KEE geomembrane barrier.
insulation properties contribute to energy
efficiency in buildings and infrastructure
by reducing heat loss and improving temperature
regulation.
In recent years, EPS geofoam has
been increasingly utilized in a range of
innovative applications beyond traditional
geotechnical projects. For example,
in green building designs, it is incorporated
to enhance energy efficiency by
insulating foundations and rooftops. In
landscape architecture, it is used to create
artificial hills, sculptural elements
and green roofs that require lightweight
fill materials.
Challenges of
hydrocarbon exposure
One of the primary challenges when
using EPS geofoam in construction
24
Geosynthetics | Summer 2024
Protecting EPS geofoam
with reinforced EIA
geomembranes
To safeguard EPS geofoam from the
harmful effects of hydrocarbons, reinforced
EIA geomembranes are used as
protective barriers. EIA geomembranes
are manufactured from ethylene interpolymer
alloys containing Dow Elvaloy,
which offer excellent chemical resistance
and durability when exposed to
hydrocarbons. By installing a reinforced
EIA geomembrane over EPS geofoam,
a robust barrier is created that prevents
hydrocarbons from coming into direct
contact with the foam material. The
strength of the reinforced EIA limits the
elongation and prevents unnecessary settling
under load. Typically, a product with
600 pounds or more breaking strength is
specified by state departments of transportation
(DOTs).

Geosynthetics July/August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Geosynthetics July/August 2024

Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - Cover1
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - Cover2
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 1
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 2
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 3
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 4
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 5
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 6
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 7
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 8
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 9
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 10
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 11
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 12
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 13
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 14
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 15
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 16
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 17
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 18
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 19
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 20
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 21
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 22
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 23
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 24
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 25
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 26
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 27
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 28
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 29
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 30
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 31
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 32
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 33
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 34
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 35
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 36
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 37
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 38
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 39
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 40
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 41
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 42
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 43
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 44
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - Cover3
Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-july-august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-case-studies-guide-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-april-may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-february-march-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-december-2023-january-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-october-november-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geoysynthetics-august-september-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-june-july-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-april-may-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-february-march-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-december-2022-january-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/ata/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-october-november-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-august-september-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-december-2021-january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-october-november-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-august-september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-june-july-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-april-may-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/geosynthetics-february-march-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/ifai/geosynthetics/0618GS
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