Erection of embankments (e.g. as separate earthwork section or backfilling beside buildings, facilities or structures) is frequently needed in civil and building con-struction. Owing to their characteristically high density, the materials of good quali-ty used for this purpose fill the envisaged spaces but, simultaneously, are very heavy and produce considerable lateral pressure. The RAVATHERM XPS closed-cell polystyrene foam thermal insulation can be used advantageously in these cases, as well: its light weight, high strength and negligible water absorption provide bene-fits, in addition to its insulating capacity. Its use can result also in a considerable weight decrease and shortening of construction time.
Description
The replacement of heavy, dense embankment materials with low-density, light materials in the embankments has become increasingly common in engineering practice. The most commonly used replacement material is polystyrene foam with its closed-cell structure.
In case of every structure, building or facility built upon soil, completion of earth-works and construction of the substructure of proper quality is an indispensable task.
The selection of the appropriate RAVATHERM XPS polystyrene foam product varies depending on the static and dynamic circumstances of the given application. As this method spreads, the requirements for light embankment materials are gradually becoming stricter. Generally, it can be said that the material needed has both permanently high compressive strength and resistance to creeping with moisture resistance.