PLASTIC AGGREGATE IN CONCRETE MAKES LOW-COST INSULATED ROADBED

A NEW ROAD-BUILDING CONCRETE, STYROPOR, COULD SAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER MILE FOR FROST PROTECTION OF HIGHWAY SUBGRADES. LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE MADE WITH THE PRODUCT HAS A HIGH THERMAL INSULATING CAPACITY COUPLED WITH AN IMPRESSIVE STRENGTH-TO-WEIGHT RATIO. BECAUSE OF ITS LOW THERMAL CONDUCTICITY, 6 TO 9 INCHES OF THE STYROPOR CONCRETE CAN REPLACE 24 TO 36 INCHES OF GRAVEL ROAD FOUNDATION FOR FROST PROTECTION. STYROPOR CONCRETE SUBBASE INCREASES THE MODULUS OF SUBGRADE SUPPORT AND PERMITS A MORE ECONOMICAL PAVEMENT CROSS-SECTION. IN ADDITION, THE UNIFORMITY OF SUPPORT OF THE PAVEMENT IS INCREASED. THE MATERIAL CAN BE POURED DIRECTLY ON A LEVELED AND COMPACTED SUBGRADE. TWO TO FOUR DAYS AFTER THE CONCRETE SUBBASE HAS BEEN LAID, IT CAN TAKE THE WEIGHT OF CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES WITHOUT A PRESSURE EQUALIZATION LAYER. THE FROST-PROTECTING BASE IS EASILY LAID DOWN WITH A PAVER. BOTH ASPHALT AND CONCRETE PAVEMENTS FORM STRONG BONDS WITH THE SURFACE OF THE STYROPER CONCRETE.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Publication Date: 1973-1

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 104
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggregates; Costs; Economics; Frost protection; Heat insulating materials; Lightweight concrete; Strength of materials; Subgrade (Pavements); Weight
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00217932
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 20 1974 12:00AM