Doctoral Dissertations
Keywords and Phrases
Geofoam
Abstract
"Soils modified with expanded polystyrene (EPS) particulates could be used as lightweight fill in a variety of installations including slopes for improved stability, embankments over compressible soils, and to reduce earth pressures next to structures. The addition of low density EPS particulates into soil has a large effect on the mass and volumetric characteristics of these mixtures and their influence on mechanical properties is scarce in the literature. A laboratory characterization program using clay mixed with EPS particulates was conducted for different dosages of EPS. Soils were modified with up to 1.5% EPS by mass, which corresponds to approximately 45% EPS by volume. This research focused on the laboratory evaluation of the individual constituents followed by the engineering characterization of composite mixtures at increasing percentages of EPS. The preparation of unit element specimens for the mixtures were developed using slurry consolidation and mechanical compaction. For each half percent increase in EPS content there was a reduction of 8% to 12% in dry unit weight and an increase in equivalent void ratio of 15 to 22%. Therefore, the reduction in dry unit weight is significant for use as soil fill. The evaluation of the mechanical properties of the soil/EPS mixtures included: swell, compression, and shear strength. The low strain dynamic properties (shear modulus and damping) were examined using the following devices: resonant column apparatus, bender elements, and ultrasonic pulse velocity transducers. Results indicate that the strength of the modified soils was not compromised with the addition of up to 1% EPS by mass. The percent free swell and swell pressure reduce with increasing EPS content, but the compressional strain prior to inundation increases with increasing EPS content. The dynamic properties indicate decreased shear stiffness with increasing EPS content, but the material damping is relatively unaffected by the EPS content. Even though the shear modulus decreased in magnitude, the specimens exhibit elastic behavior for a wider range of strain. Overall, the laboratory evaluation of these soil/EPS mixtures resulted in properties that are within the range of engineering use and could be considered as alternative construction materials in civil engineering applications"--Abstract, page iii.
Advisor(s)
Luna, Ronaldo
Committee Member(s)
Stephenson, Richard Wesley
Rogers, J. David
Anderson, Neil (Neil Lennart), 1954-
Ge, Louis, Yu-Ning
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Degree Name
Ph. D. in Civil Engineering
Sponsor(s)
United States. Department of Education
Publisher
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Publication Date
Fall 2012
Pagination
xix, 199 pages
Note about bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 184-198).
Rights
© 2012 Nicholas Thomas Rocco, All rights reserved.
Document Type
Dissertation - Open Access
File Type
text
Language
English
Subject Headings
Shear strength of soilsSwelling soilsSediment compactionDynamic testingPolystyrene -- Expansion and contraction
Thesis Number
T 10149
Print OCLC #
853508770
Electronic OCLC #
842836873
Recommended Citation
Rocco, Nicholas Thomas, "Characterization of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and cohesive soil mixtures" (2012). Doctoral Dissertations. 2034.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/2034
DAQ Files
RC_99Kaolin.xlsx (57 kB)
Specimen A - 1
RC_100Kaolin.xlsx (59 kB)
Slurry Specimen
RC_995Kaolin.xlsx (56 kB)
Specimen A - 2
Appendix A.pdf (184 kB)
Stereoscopy
Appendix B.pdf (8853 kB)
Scanning Electron Microscopy Images
Appendix C.pdf (263 kB)
Procedures for Cutting Piezoelectric Elements and Exposing Center Electrode
Deformation_vs_Stress_99Kaolin.pdf (27 kB)
Deformation_vs_Stress_99Kaolin
Deformation_vs_Stress_100Kaolin.pdf (31 kB)
Deformation_vs_Stress_100Kaolin
Deformation_vs_Stress_985Kaolin.pdf (31 kB)
Deformation_vs_Stress_985Kaolin
Deformation_vs_Stress_995Kaolin.pdf (30 kB)
Deformation_vs_Stress_995Kaolin
Time_Deformation_Curve_99Kaolin.pdf (35 kB)
Time_Deformation_Curve_99Kaolin
Time_Deformation_Curve_100Kaolin.pdf (35 kB)
Time_Deformation_Curve_100Kaolin
Time_Deformation_Curve_985Kaolin.pdf (35 kB)
Time_Deformation_Curve_985Kaolin
Time_Deformation_Curve_995Kaolin.pdf (35 kB)
Time_Deformation_Curve_995Kaolin
Piezo_Machining.docx (774 kB)
RC_985Kaolin.xlsx (56 kB)
Comments
Appendix contains "Stereoscopy images; SEM images, procedures for preparing piezoelectric elements; Compress-Swell test results; resonant column test results; UU triaxial / CU triaxial / resonant column / bender element pulse velocity / ultrasonic pulse velocity raw (*.csv) data files".