THERMAL INSULATION IN THE FINNISH HIGHWAYS AND AIRPORTS

Frost penetration in Finland, varying on the average between 1, 15 and 2,60m, has been studied systematically since 1958. Experiments to find suitable insulating materials for road construction started in 1964. By 1971 a total of nearly 260.000sq/m of roads and airfields had been treated with various types of insulating material. Polystyrene accounts for about 80 per cent of this figure. The results of field experiments indicate that the water content of extruded polystyrene remains rather low. Furthermore it has been shown that the possibility of damage to the polystyrene during construction together with bearing capacity requirements for these and other similar light insulating materials mean that they have to be placed at a depth of 50 and 70 cm from the road surface. The most common depth is 70 cm and the polystyrene generally used has a unit weight of 40 kg per cubic m. Compressibility tests performed in oedometers indicate that the compressive strength as obtained from this slow test is lower than has usually been found using fast compression tests. The compressive strength of a material with density 40 to 50 kg per cubic m apparently does not exceed 2,0 kp per sq. cm. the thickness of polystyrene insulations usually varies between 5 and 10cm depending on the region. Recommended values for the thermal conductivity of extruded and expanded polystyrene are also given together with values for average total cost of the various insulating materials.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Frost I Jord.
• Corporate Authors:

  Norges Teknisk Naturvitenskapelinge Forskningsraad

  Gaustadalleen 25
  Oslo 3,   Norway 
• Authors:
  • ORAMA, R
• Publication Date: 1972-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 5-17
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 6

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airports; Bearing capacity; Compressive strength; Electric insulating materials; Frost; Insulating materials; Moisture content; Polystyrene; Road construction
• Uncontrolled Terms: Frost penetration
• ITRD Terms: 5905: Compressibility; 224: Cost; 8035: Finland; 2960: Frost blanket; 6743: Heat; 6914: Insulation; 5920: Moisture content; 6168: Oedometer; 7422: Polyvinylhydrocarbon; 5544: Strength (mater); 5933: Thickness
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Geotechnology; Highways; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00260771
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: R&D Rpt.
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 20 1974 12:00AM