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A Review of the Studies on Soil-EPS Composites: Beads and Blocks

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Abstract

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a polymeric material whose low density and high strength/density ratio has made it renowned to be used as a lightweight geosynthetic in the embankments and retaining structures to enhance the slope stability and reduce the lateral earth pressure. Besides, due to its low heat transfer coefficient and flexibility, it is geared to being used as a sound heat insulator in the building construction. So far, particular attention has been paid to the use of EPS as a lightweight material in different types of soils to both make the composite cost-effective and modify its mechanical properties, which ultimately provides the target strength. The present paper investigates the effects of EPS incorporation into different sorts of mixtures through reviewing the most prominent studies over EPS beads and blocks subjected to static and cyclic loadings. Having a comprehensive review throughout the literature, the study proposes some practical essential topics to be pursued for further research which the current literature lacks. Correlation of some useful mechanical parameters of EPS-soil mixtures, simultaneous use of EPS beads with petroleum derivatives and performance of some complementary static and cyclic tests are amongst them.

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  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

    Aghileh Khajeh, Reza Jamshidi Chenari & Meghdad Payan

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  1. Aghileh Khajeh
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  2. Reza Jamshidi Chenari
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  3. Meghdad Payan
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Correspondence to Reza Jamshidi Chenari.

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Khajeh, A., Jamshidi Chenari, R. & Payan, M. A Review of the Studies on Soil-EPS Composites: Beads and Blocks. Geotech Geol Eng 38, 3363–3383 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01252-2

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