FIRM FOUNDATIONS TO BUILD ON

This brief article describes the reconstruction of a section of Interstate 880 (known as the Cypress Freeway) in Oakland, California. Tens of thousands of meters of expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks were used to provide a firm foundation for seven on/off ramps. The geofoam is less expensive than conventional materials and because it was being used in a contaminated soil-area, its lighter weight made it a much more effective base material. The Cypress Freeway was destroyed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. It is built on 12.2 m of bay mud, which is a poor base for building roads because it settles significantly under heavy loads. By using EPS, only 0.60 m of soil had to be removed. After that, a 76.2-cm base of lightweight concrete was poured and the EPS blocks placed on top.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/08824983
• Corporate Authors:

  Industrial Fabrics Association International

  345 Cedar Building, Suite 450
  St Paul, MN  United States  55101-1088
• Authors:
  • Bacskai, A
• Publication Date: 1997-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 45
• Serial:
  • Geotechnical Fabrics Report
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Industrial Fabrics Association International
  • ISSN: 0882-4983

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Base course (Pavements); Blocks; Expanded materials; Foundations; Lightweight materials; Mud; Off ramps; On ramps; Polystyrene; Styrenes
• Identifier Terms: Loma Prieta Earthquake, October 17, 1989
• Geographic Terms: Oakland (California)
• Old TRIS Terms: Foundations (Structures); Geofoams
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I35: Miscellaneous Materials; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00739594
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 28 1997 12:00AM