The Leader in Engineered Light Weight Fill Material
InsulFoam® GF (EPS Geofoam) is a lightweight, geo-synthetic foam fill material used as an alternative to various fill-materials, as a soil stabilizer or as void fill, and in various engineered applications.
Geofoam consists of closed-cell expanded polystyrene (EPS) and meets or exceeds the requirements of ASTM D6817 Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam. Thanks to a weight that is lighter than that of most fill materials, InsulFoam® GF is cost-effective and does not typically require surcharging, preloading, and staging often necessary in construction applications. InsulFoam® GF is environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable, containing no HCFCs or formaldehyde.
With superior stability, and long-term R-value, InsulFoam® GF resists insects, mold, decomposition and severe weather conditions, including freeze-thaw cycles and moisture.
Geofoam applications include:
- Highways and Roads
- Railways
- Airport Runways
- Ramps
- Bridge Approaches
- Retaining Walls
- Retaining Walls
- Berms and Embankments
- Parking Structures
- Foundations
- Loading Docks and Ramps
- Landscaping
- Lightweight Void Fill
- Levees and Dikes
- Buried Utility Protection
- Theater and Stadium Seating
- Pools and Pool Decks
- Landscaping
- Retaining Walls
- Lightweight Void Fill
Geofoam Advantages over other Fill Materials
- Lightweight – Minimize preloading, surcharging and staged construction
- Weather Resistant – Withstands freeze-thaw cycles, moisture and road salts,
- Doesn’t Settle – Less structural inconsistencies
- Insect and Mold Resistant – Will not sustain mold or mildew growth, termite / ant repellant additive available
- Manufactured to Meet Your Job Specifications – Multiple densities, various block sizes available
- Ease of Installation – Lightweight, no heavy equipment needed, cuts easily with a hot wire or saw
- Environmentally Friendly – 100% Recyclable, No HCFCs or Formaldehyde
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Geofoam Design Considerations
- For InsulFoam Geofoam applications, design should not exceed 1% strain for combined live loads
- In conditions where InsulFoam GF is periodically subjected to submergence from fluctuating ground water, add 1.87 lb/ft3 (30 kg/m3) to the InsulFoam GF design density.
- In conditions where InsulFoam GF is continually below ground water, add 5.00 lb/ft3 (80 kg/m3) to the InsulFoam GF design density.
- In earth work applications such as le- vees, dikes, and berms, uplift buoyancy forces must be considered. The buoy- ancy force must be counteracted with overburden or restraint devices with geogrids or geomembranes.
Technical Resources
- Insulfoam Geofoam: Design Considerations, Technical & Installation
- InsulGrip Installation Plates
- Geofoam MSDS
- InsulFoam Geofoam Specification
- Insulfoam & Insect Resistance
- Mold Resistance in Insulfoam Products
- EPS Industry Association Technical Bulletin on Geofoam
- Federal Highway Expansion & Geofoam
- Federal Highway Administration – Geotech Resource Center
Educational Geofoam Links
ASCE: American Society of Civil Engineers
Geo-Institute.org: The Geo-Institute (G-I) is a specialty organization focused on the geo industry
Geofoam Research Center: in Syracuse NY
AASHTO: Non Profit representing Highway and Transportation Departments in 50 states plus PR and DOC
ARTBA: American Road and Transportation Builders
FTBA: Florida Transportation Builders
Videos of Geofoam Installation and Projects
VIDEO – InsulFoam GF Geofoam: Conejo Road Slope Repair Installation
VIDEO – Movie Theater EPS Geofoam Stadium Seating: Wassilla, AK
Want to know more?
- View our online learning center for training and education resources
- Browse through our detailed project profiles and photo galleries
- Request an AIA certified presentation
- View installation and overview videos
- or simply take a look through an impressive collaboration of industry news articles about Insulfoam
You can always contact us or find a Representative near you. We are here to help make your insulation selection process easier!