PERMANENT EPS VOID FORMERS

Engineers often wish to leave voids in a concrete structure, such as a bridge to minimise weight and enhance strength. Concrete is now poured around pre-moulded EPS shapes, either pre-cast or on site. EPS has minimal water absorption so that the adjacent concrete quality is unaffected. Smaller concrete voids can be catered for with cut shape EPS, be it pre cast or on site. Taking the technique a step further, if a channel is required the EPS can subsiquently be melted out to leave an empty cavity.

GEO-FOAM. (BASF TRADE NAME)

Road Foundations and Abutment Backfill. An embankment built of EPS weighs far less and provides the required load bearing foundations without causing settlement. The low mass and relatively high compressibility of the GEO-FOAM may also offer an additional advantage by limiting horizontal forces against retaining structures during earthquakes.