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Geofoam Advantages

Traditional earth materials are heavy and can cause settlement, instability or lateral pressures. Other fill materials such as foamed concrete, waste tires, soil, woodchips, wood fiber, etc., have higher densities, are variable in their makeup and are not engineered due to field execution variables. They also have limitations in handling and can be weather sensitive, thus requiring staged construction and/or preloading, surcharging, draining, etc. Foam-Control® EPS Geofoam has the advantage of maximizing on-site installation efficiency. Material can arrive at the job site prefabricated and ready to place. It is easily inventoried and handled. Geofoam installation is not delayed by weather.

Advantages of Using Geofoam

  • Extremely light weight reduces lateral or bearing loads
  • Predicable engineered performance
  • Can be installed in various weather conditions
  • Maximizes Installation Efficiency
  • Various densities available to meet strength requirements
  • Cost-Effective Solution

Reduction of Axial Loads


EPS Geofoam significantly reduces axial loads on weaker sub-soils while concurrently reducing or eliminating lateral loads on abutments and foundations. 


Reduction of Vertical Pressure


Comparison of two embankments: one showing traditional soil as fill, and the other with EPS Geofoam.  As Geofoam is installed below-grade, EPS greatly reduces vertical pressure by a 120:1 ration.  Essentially, the embankments were designed to produce zero net load on the foundation soils.  This is done by removing a volume equal to weight added by new construction.




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