An investigation on the mechanical behavior of expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam under different loading conditions

Abstract

The mechanical properties of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Geofoam are important to be investigated. Loading rate dependency and repeated load effects on the EPS stress strain behaviors were studied by performing compression tests. In the present study an investigation was done to simulate the actual working conditions and hence to evaluate the mechanical behavior of EPS under these conditions. A series of loading cycles were applied in accordance with a defined procedure on EPS cubic samples with densities of 0.30 kN/m3 the elastic properties were evaluated at each loading condition (repeated load and different loading rates values). The significant effects of those loading conditions specially rate dependant stress strain behavior were observed. For the repeated load conditions the residual deformations occurs after each load application was the keyword of repeated load effects, where the relative deformation will increases as the load repeated on the same sample. For the loading rates effects when EPS foam is subjected to compressive loading, the entrapped air within the cells is compressed and viscous force is generated. Viscous forces increase with the loading rate. The detailed of this investigation will be discussed in this article.