USE OF STYROFOAM UNDER CONCRETE SIDEWALKS

From 1971 to 1974, a study was made of the freezing characteristics under an insulated and uninsulated sections of a sidewalk. A 1 1/2 inch layer of styrofoam insulation was placed under a newly constructed sidewalk which replaced a one year old sidewalk that was failing from displacement by frost heaving. Temperature recordings were made during three winter seasons. Soil densities and moisture contents were monitored during the second season. The insulation was successful in eliminating heaving and cracking of the sidewalk for the three years which included a maximum freezing index of 1000 degree days as the most severe winter. The uninsulated control section and adjacent city walks and concrete aprons heaved during each of the three winter seasons the mildest of which had a freezing index of 577 degree days. Factors were identified that tend to limit the growth of ice lenses. The effectiveness of an insulation barrier is evaluated in terms of time and prevailing air temperature.

• Corporate Authors:

  Montana Department of Highways

  Materials Bureau, 2701 Prospect Avenue
  Helena, MT  United States  59620

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Weber, S F
• Publication Date: 1974-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 51 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete construction; Cracking; Density; Electric insulating materials; Freezing; Frost heaving; Heat insulating materials; Ice formations; Insulating materials; Permeability; Sidewalks; Soil water; Soils; Temperature; Temperature measurement; Test procedures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ice lenses
• Geographic Terms: Montana
• Old TRIS Terms: Air temperature; Barrier materials; Cellular plastics; Density mass/volume; Frost heave; Soil temperature
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00093489
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: 1(10)
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 14 1976 12:00AM