BLUEPRINTS*

Services
Insulation
for
Geotechnical
Applications

*Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company

STYROFOAM FROST HEAVE
High Load* FROST-SUSCEPTIBLE
SOIL
GROUND SURFACE
Throughout those regions FROST HEAVE
where underlying soils are prone GOOD DRAINING

FROST PENETRATION
NON-FROST
to frost action, highways, railways, SUSCEPTIBLE SOIL
building foundations, even buried STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD STYROFOAM HIGH
utilities run the risk of damage INSULATION PREVENTS
FREEZING OF SOIL
LOAD INSULATION
from frost heaving and spring UPWARD PRESSURE
break-up.
Soil insulation is a means of ICE LENSES
protecting in-ground construction
from the ravages of frost action. FROST
FRONT
MOISTURE MIGRATION
TO FROST FRONT
The concept itself is borne of the
insulating principles common to WATER TABLE
the design of buildings above
UNINSULATED SOIL INSULATED SOIL
ground.
Above or below ground, the STYROFOAM High Load curtails heat loss from the subgrade.
goal is to control the transfer of Frost penetration is reduced, preventing ice lenses from
heat from one area to another forming, which would normally result in frost heaving.
with insulation. To this end, Dow SPRING BREAK-UP (THAW-WEAKENING)
Chemical Canada Inc. conceived GROUND SURFACE
and developed STYROFOAM GROUND SURFACE
RETURNS TO ORIGINAL
High Load, a versatile CAN/CGSB POSITION WHEN ICE
51.20-M87 TYPE 4 extruded LENSES MELT
polystyrene rigid board insulation. THAWED
SOIL GOOD DRAINING SOIL
By placing a layer of HERE IS IMPORTANT
STYROFOAM High Load insulation RAIN AND MELT WATER STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD
FROZEN SOIL

SUPERSATURATE THE
in the upper level of the soil, its UPPER SOIL. SOIL BEARING
CAPACITY IS REDUCED.
INSULATION
unique combination of properties FROZEN SUBGRADE
ICE LENSES
will effectively prevent harmful BLOCKS THE PASSAGE
OF WATER TO THE
FROST-SUSCEPTIBLE
sub-soil frost action. Since 1962, WATER TABLE. SOIL
STYROFOAM High Load has SOME WATER WILL PENETRATE
THE INSULATION JOINTS AND
been used in engineering con- PASS THROUGH THE UNFROZEN
SOIL TO THE WATER TABLE
struction in Canada, the U.S.A.,
Japan and throughout Europe. WATER TABLE

On roadways, rail lines, airport UNINSULATED SOIL INSULATED SOIL

pavements, culverts, building and STYROFOAM High Load prevents the freezing of lower soil
transmission tower foundations, zones which would impede drainage and result in spring
drainage works and in-ground break-up. Where load-bearing capacity is important, an
utilities, STYROFOAM High Load embankment with drainage ditches should be provided.
has proven to be an economical, PERMAFROST THAW (SUMMER MONTHS)
long term solution to ground frost
problems.
STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD GROUND SURFACE
FOR SOIL INSULATION GOOD DRAINING
SOIL
In seasonal zones, STYROFOAM
High Load insulation conserves WATER STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD
INSULATION
the natural heat in the subgrade, PERMAFROST UNDER
PERMAFROST TABLE
retarding frost penetration during THE INSULATED AREA
REMAINS FROZEN (SUMMER)
winter and, in turn, eliminating YEAR-ROUND
frost heave and spring break-up.
In permafrost zones, MELTED PERMAFROST
IN SUMMER, SUPERSATURATES
STYROFOAM High Load performs THE SOIL CAUSING
“THAW WEAKENING” CONDITIONS
the inverse task of retaining the
frozen state of the subgrade
during summer months to prevent
a warming influence in the sub- UNINSULATED SOIL INSULATED SOIL

grade which would result in STYROFOAM High Load prevents the thawing of permafrost
thaw-weakening. during summer to retain the load-bearing capacity of the
frozen subgrade.

2 *Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company

 DOJ

INSULATED PAVEMENTS
AND RAIL LINES TYPICAL INSULATED
HIGHWAY
For over 30 years, countless
numbers of engineers have found
that STYROFOAM High Load
insulation is an ideal defence
against the damage wrought by
frost heave and spring break-up
on projects including roadways,
airport runways and rail lines.
Over the course of these many
years, a number of test sites
have been monitored to check CONCRETE OR
the stability of STYROFOAM ASPHALT PAVEMENT
High Load. The assembled data GRANULAR EMBANKMENT
shows no signs of frost heave STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD INSULATION
or spring break- up. Samples of
STYROFOAM High Load which DITCH
have been recovered from various FROST FRONT
highway installations also show
very little increase in water
pick-up, little loss of thermal FROST-SUSCEPTIBLE SOIL
resistance, and in all cases
the structural integrity of the WATER TABLE
insulation was retained.

TYPICAL INSULATED
AIRPORT RUNWAY
RUNWAY PAVEMENT In comparison to highways, airport
GRANULAR EMBANKMENT
runways are much wider and
normally require a greater thick-
STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD ness of pavement. However, the
INSULATION same insulation principles apply as
FROST FRONT in insulated highways.
DITCH
FROST-SUSCEPTIBLE SOIL

WATER TABLE

TIES
TYPICAL INSULATED
GRANULAR EMBANKMENT
RAIL LINE
STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD INSULATION
The principle used in the design
of railroad insulation is the same
GRADE as the one used in highway and
FROST FRONT
airport pavements. Consequently
STYROFOAM High Load insulation
should extend well into the
embankment to provide adequate
frost protection from the flanks.

FROST-SUSCEPTIBLE SOIL

WATER TABLE

3
INSTALLATION STYROFOAM High Load insulation
is laid over the prepared subgrade
LIGHTWEIGHT FILL
USING STYROFOAM
using conventional road building HIGH LOAD INSULATION
equipment and techniques. In
areas where wind blow-off is In the design and construc-
a problem, the insulation can tion of embankments or retaining
be pinned down with wooden walls requiring great depths of
skewers, weighed down with fill, unstable soils and settlement
granular material, or if applied can pose grave problems. In these
over old pavement, it can be stuck cases, special backfill materials
down with an asphalt emulsion and methods are necessary when
adhesive tack coat. The first lift dealing with problems over
of granular material should be weak subgrades.
carefully placed and compacted to STYROFOAM High Load weighs
prevent damage or displacement less than 48 kg/m3 (3 lbs./cu.ft.)
of the insulation. Subsequent lifts compared with conventional
and asphalt or concrete paving backfill at 1800 to 2100 kg/m3
surfaces are then applied in the (110-130 lbs./cu.ft.). That’s a
usual manner. weight reduction of approximately
For more information, a 97%. Where no live loads are
“Highway Insulation” brochure involved, the size and strength
can be obtained from any Dow of retaining walls can be reduced
Chemical Canada Inc. office. greatly.
On a cautionary note, when
using STYROFOAM High Load
as a lightweight fill, it should
have a cover of granular fill and
polyethylene sheet to protect
it from sunlight, physical
damage, floatation and spills
of incompatible chemicals.

TYPICAL BRIDGE APPROACH

PAVEMENT
GRANULAR BACKFILL
POLYETHYLENE FILM
STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD
INSULATION LIGHTWEIGHT FILL
WEAK SUBSOIL
SECTION THROUGH HIGHWAY BRIDGE APPROACH EMBANKMENT

4
 INSULATED STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD
TRANSMISSION TOWER AND BURIED UTILITIES
FOUNDATIONS Conventional construction of
The placement of buried water and sewer lines calls
STYROFOAM High Load in tower for placement below the frost
foundation areas can drastically line. This can sometimes mean
reduce or eliminate heave and deep excavation, rock cutting,
freezing forces which can result even pumping stations. Where
in bent and broken tower diagonal excavation is difficult and expen-
bracing. STYROFOAM High Load sive, there is a cost-efficient
reduces the depth of frost pene- alternative. Utility lines can be
tration during the freezing season insulated with STYROFOAM
and therefore reduces the risk of High Load and placed closer to
damaging frost action. In perma- the surface. This technique can
frost zones, a pad of insulation be used not only for new lines but
over the tower base and around also current ones where regrad-
RIGID TOWER the foundation posts will prevent ing would reduce the existing
FOUNDATION thawing during the summer and protective frost cover.
preserve a structurally sound
subgrade year-round.

GUYED TOWER
FOUNDATION

CONCRETE
FOUNDATION
BACKFILL
STYROFOAM
HIGH LOAD INSULATION
INSULATED FOUNDATION
ANCHORS
FROST-SUSCEPTIBLE
SOIL

TOWER
STRUCTURE
GRANULAR
EMBANKMENT
STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD INSULATION
FROST-SUSCEPTIBLE SOIL

5
DESIGN The Horizontal Insulated Utility
Line method is widely used and
dimensions of the two vertical
legs and the top horizontal layer
PROCEDURE gives satisfactory results if correct
construction procedures are
of insulation should be summed
to give the total width of insulation
followed. (W) as shown below. The bottom
The inverted U Insulated of the vertical legs should be
Utility Line method can be used level with the bottom of the line.
where the design width of hori- Table 1 can be used to determine
zontal layer is greater than allowed the thickness of insulation needed
in the field. With the inverted U to protect a utility line based on
concept, the insulation width depth of cover and geography.
required is reduced by the intro-
duction of two vertical legs. The INSTALLATION
Using STYROFOAM High Load
won’t alter conventional line con-
struction methods. However, in
some cases a wider trench may
be needed to accommodate the
horizontal layer of insulation.

SURFACE
X BACKFILL
W
HORIZONTAL LAYER (MINIMUM 0.4m) (1'- 4")
STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD-40
INSULATION

0.15m (6”)
GRANULAR
MATERIAL

F ESTIMATED
D FROST DEPTH

WIDTH OF INSULATION: W = 3D + 2[F – (X + D + 0.5)] For imperial calculation

W = D + 2(F – X) – 0.3 For metric calculation

WHERE W = WIDTH OF INSULATION (METERS) (FT)

D = PIPE DIAMETER (METERS) (FT)
X = INSULATION DEPTH (METERS) (FT)
F = ESTIMATED FROST DEPTH (METERS (FT)

GROUND
INVERTED U LEVEL
BACKFILL
(MINIMUM 0.4m) (1'- 4")
STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD-40
INSULATION
0.15m (6”)

GRANULAR
MATERIAL

VERTICAL LEG

6
 TABLE 1: THICKNESS OF STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD BRAND INSULATION
THICKNESS OF INSULATION IN MM AND INCHES
Design Freezing Index (°C-Days)
Amount of Backfill over the Insulation (m)

850 1125 1400 1675 1950 2225 2500

0.6 50.0 65.0 75.0 90.0 100.0 115.0 125.0
0.9 40.0 50.0 65.0 75.0 90.0 100.0 115.0
1.2 25.0 40.0 50.0 65.0 75.0 90.0 100.0
1.5 25.0 25.0 40.0 50.0 65.0 75.0 90.0
1.8 25.0 25.0 25.0 40.0 50.0 65.0 75.0
2.1 25.0 25.0 40.0 50.0 65.0
2.4 25.0 25.0 40.0 50.0
2.7 25.0 25.0 40.0
3.0 25.0 25.0

Design Freezing Index (°F-Days)

1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
2'-0" 2.0" 2.5" 3.0" 3.5" 4.0" 4.5" 5.0"
Amount of Backfill over the

3'-0" 1.5" 2.0" 2.5" 3.0" 3.5" 4.0" 4.5"

Insulation (feet)

4'-0" 1.0" 1.5" 2.0" 2.5" 3.0" 3.5" 4.0"

5'-0" 1.0" 1.0" 1.5" 2.0" 2.5" 3.0" 3.5"
6'-0" 1.0" 1.0" 1.0" 1.5" 2.0" 2.5" 3.0"
7'-0" 1.0" 1.0" 1.5" 2.0" 2.5"
8'-0" 1.0" 1.0" 1.5" 2.0"
9'-0" 1.0" 1.0" 1.5"
10'-0" 1.0" 1.0"

EXISTING LINES NEW LINES insulation. A minimum 0.20 to

Centered over the length of Granular material is compacted 0.25 meters (8" - 10") of compacted
the line, dig a trench 0.15 meters to provide 0.15 meters (6") pro- lift is required before any heavy
(6") above the top of the line. tective cover for the line. Insulation traffic passes over the insulation.
Remove large lumps of soil to is then laid to a pre-determined
ensure the trench bottom is width and butted together. Normal INSULATION OF
smooth and place the insulation backfill operations are then UTILITIES IN ROCK
boards on this base, butted carried out. If the inverted U In solid rock, frost penetrates
closely together. Where the method is used, place the vertical easily due to the rock’s high
inverted U method is used, the legs along the walls of the trench, thermal conductivity and
bottom of the vertical legs should using bedding material to hold absence of any appreciable
be level with the bottom of the the legs in place. Compact the amount of water. Since there is
line. With bedding material hold- bedding material to provide little or no available heat from
ing the legs in place, place the 0.15 meters (6") cover for the the ground and pipelines in rock
horizontal layer of insulation on line. Place the horizontal layer of must be insulated from freezing,
top of the legs after the line has insulation on this and backfill. these lines should be insulated
been covered with 0.15 meters Care should be taken to prevent from top to bottom and on all
(6") of bedding. vehicles and heavy equipment sides.
from bearing directly on the

7
 DESIGN PROCEDURE from below. For a narrow pipe
The insulation nomograms ➀ trench in rock, the laying depth
below show the required insula- doesn’t have a major effect on
tion thickness for narrow and wide the needed heat supply because
pipe trenches and the heat supply of the proximity of the trench
needed from the line itself or side slopes. When using the
from an electric heating cable. insulation nomograms, note that
A wide trench in rock means that the required heat supply will be
the covering ground layer on the reduced for a given insulation
rock is so thin that the rock is thickness when the total width
within the expected frost depth, and height of the insulation is
resulting in a freezing of the line minimized.

WIDE PIPE TRENCH IN ROCK

50
mm 8 1.0

6
0.

0.4

0.
) ")

)
ST 2"

4"
(40

m:
YR (3

(2
OF

b),
75 (2 OA
mm ") 1.2

h(
thi M
ck ")

idt
(3" ins
(48

")
) ne ula

nw

(16
ss tio
n

tio
ula
100
mm

Ins
150m
m (4")
(6")

2500 2080 1660 1240 820 400 0

(4500) (3700) (3000) (2200) (1475) (700) 2

Heat supply required W/m

4
Max. freezing index °C-Days
(Max. freezing Index °F-Days) 6

8 In
su
lat
ion
10 he
igh
t(
h)
12 ,m
:0

0.
0. 0. .4
6

7
14 (2 5 (1

(2
4" (2 6"

8"
) 0" )

)
)
16

NARROW PIPE TRENCH IN ROCK

50
mm 8 1.0
6

0.
.4

0.

) ")
0

ST 2"
4"

(40
m:

YR (3
(2

OF
b),

75 (2 OA
mm ") 1.2
h(

thi M
ck ")
idt

(3" ins
(48
")

) ne ula
nw

(16

ss tio
n
tio
ula

100
mm
Ins

150m
m (4")
(6")

2500 2080 1660 1240 820 400 0

(4500) (3700) (3000) (2200) (1475) (700) 2
Heat supply required W/m

4
Max. freezing index °C-Days
(Max. freezing Index °F-Days) 6

8 In
su
lat
ion
10 he
igh
t(
h)
12 ,m
:0
0.

➀ GUNDERSON, P., “FROST PENETRATION OF BURIED WATER 0.

6 0. .4
7

14 (2 5 (1
(2

(2 6"
AND SEWAGE PIPES; THREE ARTICLES,” 4"
8"

) 0" )
)

)
NORWEGIAN BUILDING RESEARCH 16
INSTITUTE, OSLO.

8
 INSULATED The concept of insulated
shallow foundations allows the
DESIGN DATA
Design criteria have been
BUILDING placement of insulation in a con-
figuration that will reduce frost published by E.I. Robinsky and
K.E. Bespflug, Journal of the
FOUNDATIONS penetration. This also allows for
a corresponding reduction in Soil Mechanics and Foundations
foundation depth resulting in cost Division, Proceedings of the
savings in excavating, backfilling, American Society of Civil
foundation materials and reduced Engineers, Volume 99 NOSM9,
perimeter heat losses. As shown September 1973, Pages 649-667.
in the diagrams below, the Four of their nomograms are
insulated foundation concept reproduced on the following pages.
differs between heated and
unheated buildings. In addition
to reducing frost penetration,
STYROFOAM High Load reduces
high thermal gradients beneath
the footings which minimizes
moisture migration and reduces
the effect of soil shrinkage.

WALL
GRADE
GRANULAR FILL
STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD INSULATION
FOOTING

MINIMUM OF
MINIMUM OF 600mm (24”)
300mm (12”) BELOW GRADE HEATED BUILDING
BELOW GRADE In heated structures, the
FROST PENETRATION

STYROFOAM High Load insulation

is laid in the configuration as
shown, around the perimeter
of the building to protect
the footing from frost damage.
FROST-SUSCEPTIBLE SOIL The depth of this footing is
governed by the required
FROST FRONT load-bearing capacity of the
soil, not the frost penetration.

WALL
GRADE
FLOOR SLAB
AND GRADE BEAM
STYROFOAM HIGH LOAD INSULATION

MINIMUM OF
300mm (12”) UNHEATED BUILDING
BELOW GRADE In unheated structures,
FROST PENETRATION

a continuous STYROFOAM
High Load insulation pad must
be provided beneath the entire
area of the floor, footings
FROST-SUSCEPTIBLE SOIL and beyond as required to
adequately protect against
frost. In permafrost regions,
FROST FRONT the use of insulation permits
a considerable reduction in
the thickness of granular fill.

9
SHALLOW When considering an insulated
shallow foundation, it’s impor-
an ideal choice for this application
as it can sustain very high loading.
FOUNDATION tant to take soil-bearing capacity
into consideration as it may
For heated buildings, it is
recommended to increase the
DESIGN call for a deeper excavation.
STYROFOAM High Load, with
thickness of the STYROFOAM
High Load at the corners of the
NOMOGRAMS its high compressive strength, is building to 1-1/2 times the chosen

Generalized Design
Curves for Minimum
Insulation Requirements
for Heated Structures
on Clayey or Silty
Soil with Insulation
Extending to 1 ft.
(300 mm) Above Grade
Freezing Index, (F. Degree-Days)
Soil Conditions: dry density = 85 pcf (1362 kg/m3), water content = 30%
all soil water freezes at 32°F (273°K)

Generalized Design
Curves of Minimum
Insulation Requirements
for Heated Structures
on Sandy Soil with
Insulation Extending
to 1 ft. (300 mm) Above
Grade
Freezing Index, (F. Degree-Days)
Soil Conditions: dry density = 105 pcf (1681 kg/m3), water content = 10%
all soil water freezes at 32°F (273°K)

10
thickness, t. The thicker insula- It is recommended that the
tion should extend back from perimeter insulation strip be
the corners along the walls and placed on a slight slope, grading
grade beam a distance equal to away from the structure to
the chosen width of the perimeter encourage drainage.
insulation slab, L.

Design Curve for

Foundation Insulation
of Unheated Structures
on Clayey or Silty
Soil; Assumptions:
Dry Density 85 PCF
(1,361 kg/m3), Water
Content 30%; All
Soil Water Freezes at
32°F (273°K)
Freezing Index, (F. Degree-Days)

Design Curve for

Foundation Insulation of
Unheated Structures on
Sandy Soil; Assumptions:
Dry Density 105 PCF
(1,681 kg/m3), Water
Content 10%; All Soil Water
Freezes at 32°F (273°K)
Freezing Index, (F. Degree-Days)

11
STYROFOAM Due to its high compressive
strength, high resistance to water
on this base material, the base
material should be compacted
HIGH LOAD FOR absorption and tolerance to soil
conditions, STYROFOAM High Load
and leveled as specified by an
engineer, and any large stones
ICE RINKS is ideal for installation below rink
floors. Insulating with STYROFOAM
which might damage the insula-
tion removed.
High Load is recommended for
these reasons: SEASONAL VS.
CONTINUOUS USE
1 to raise the frost line above
the level of soils susceptible If the rink has a seasonal
to frost heaving in rinks operation requirement, the design
which operate seasonally. relies on a warm summer cycle
to melt any frost that may have
2 to reduce the initial and long- accumulated below grade. If the
term operating costs of soil rink has been designed for con-
heating equipment in rinks tinuous operation, the insulation
which operate continuously. will NOT prevent the freezing of
the subgrade. A soil heating
3 to reduce ice-making time. device can resolve this. In this
case, the insulation acts as a
4 to reduce the required separator between the heating
capacity of refrigeration and refrigeration equipment.
equipment.
APPLICATION
SOIL CONDITION The insulation is placed below
If practical, the ice rink should the refrigerated slab or sand
be located on a site where the layer and should extend 900 mm
soil is not susceptible to frost to 1200 mm (3 ft-4 ft) beyond
heaving. If this isn’t possible, the the edges of the refrigerated layer.
site should be prepared in the The insulation is usually applied
following manner. Remove the over the compacted base mate-
upper layer of frost-susceptible soil rial or a concrete sub-slab.
to a minimum depth of
300 mm (1 ft.). Replace this with
a compacted, free draining, non-
frost-susceptible material which
will provide proper drainage and
eliminate frost heaving. If the
insulation is to be placed directly

STYROFOAM High Load brand insulation Thickness STYROFOAM High Load brand insulation Thickness
Required for Seasonally Operated Rinks Required for Continuously Operated Rinks.

Months of Operation
Ice ELECTRIC HEATING SYSTEMS
Temperature 5-6 7-8 9-10 – high cost power areas 75 mm (3")
– low cost power areas 50 mm (2")
-6°C 50 mm 60 mm 75 mm
(22°F) (2") (21⁄2") (3")

-9°C 60 mm 75 mm Design for FUEL FIRED HEATING SYSTEMS

(16°F) (21⁄2") (3") continuous (unless fuel costs are unusually high) 50 mm (2")
operation

Note: Use 300 mm (1 ft.) of non-frost- Note: In view of the possibility of high energy costs
susceptible fill under the insulation. in the future, consideration should be given to
increasing the thickness of the insulation.

12
FEATURES STYROFOAM High Load insulation
has a range of properties
STYROFOAM High Load insulation
has the properties necessary for
which makes it suitable for long-term performance in soil
soil applications. insulation applications.

1 EXCELLENT INSULATING 7 CUTS EASILY: and is

CHARACTERISTICS: possesses non-irritating and non-toxic.
one of the highest thermal
resistance (RSI) (R) values when
compared with other insulations. 8 STANDARDS AND
ACCEPTANCES: STYROFOAM
High Load insulation meets or
2 VERY LOW WATER exceeds the requirements
ABSORPTION: applications of CGSB Specification
where the insulation is used below CAN/CGSB-51.20-M87
ground (e.g., under highways) (Type 4).
present severe conditions which
include high soil humidities, long-
term exposure to water and
freeze-thaw cycles. Under these
conditions most insulating
materials are subject to water
absorption, physical break-
down and loss of insulating
properties. Due to its low water
absorption and high strength,
STYROFOAM High Load insulation
is virtually unaffected and retains
its insulating value as evidenced
by samples of STYROFOAM High
Load removed from highway
installations after as long as 14
years in the ground.

3 HIGH COMPRESSIVE
STRENGTH: good durability and
resistance to damage. Three
compressive strengths to choose
from: High Load-40, High Load-60
and High Load-100. Refer to
properties table for information.

4 UNIFORM CONSISTENCY:
the extrusion and foam manu-
facturing process produces
boards of consistent thickness,
density, strength, thermal and
moisture resistance, etc.

5 UNIQUELY SUITED FOR

IN-GROUND APPLICATION:
withstands repeated freeze/thaw
cycling without physical de-
gradation such as crumbling or
waterlogging. Will not sustain
mould or decay.

6 PROVEN PERFORMANCE:
monitoring of installations
since 1962 verifies that

13
PRECAUTIONS 1 STYROFOAM High Load insu-
lation must be protected against
of occurrence is dependent
primarily on meteorological
exposure to sunlight, physical conditions and the thermal
damage, and incompatible properties of the highway section.
chemicals (solvents, petroleum
products, etc.) that might seep
into the ground from accidental Precautions should be taken
spills. Where flooding or high by the design authority to mini-
water table may submerge the mize the consequences of dif-
insulation, the overlying backfill ferential icing. Studies have found
must provide sufficient ballast that differential icing can be
to prevent floatation. These minimized by either lowering the
protective measures usually are insulation in the pavement section,
attained with a cover of granular or by putting in thinner sections
fill and a layer of polyethylene of insulation. We strongly recom-
sheet. mend that insulated sections
should not be started: i) in the
middle of a curved portion of
2 To avoid surface degradation, road; ii) at the top of a hill; iii) near
do not leave STYROFOAM a major intersection; or iv) near
High Load insulation exposed to a railway crossing. See Dow
direct sunlight for long periods of publication “Highway Insulation”.
time. Cover insulation temporarily
stored on the jobsite with a
light-colored tarpaulin. 5 LONG-TERM CREEP AND
FATIGUE: Like all building
materials, designers must use
3 BURNING CHARACTERISTICS: adequate safety factors to limit
although STYROFOAM High Load long-term deformations when
brand insulation contains a flame loading STYROFOAM High Load
retardant agent to inhibit acci- insulation. See Dow publication
dental ignition from a small fire “Highway Insulation”.
source, it will burn and once
ignited may burn rapidly releasing
dense smoke. STYROFOAM
High Load insulation must not be
exposed to an open flame or
other ignition source.

4 DIFFERENTIAL ICING: when

STYROFOAM High Load insulation
is placed in the ground, under a
highway or paved area, it acts
to prevent or diminish freezing of
the subgrade in seasonal areas,
or thawing in regions of perma-
frost. Since the insulated section
has a different thermal regime
than the adjacent non-insulated
section, different surface tem-
peratures can result between the
two. Under certain conditions,
the difference in temperature
between sections can be sufficient
to allow one surface to support
the formation of ice while the
adjacent surface does not. This
discontinuous or “differential”
icing phenomenon also occurs
over conventional non-insulated
pavement sections in practically
all areas subject to freezing and
thawing conditions. Frequency

14
SPECIFICATIONS
Property High Load-40 High Load-60 High Load-100

Compressive Strength➀ (min) 275kPa 415kPa 690kPa

ASTM D1621-73 (40 psi) (60 psi) (100 psi)
Tensile Strength (Typical) 480kPa 590kPa 860kPa
ASTM D1623-78 (Method A) (70 psi) (85 psi) (125 psi)
Shear Strength (Typical) 275kPa 310kPa 350kPa
ASTM C273-61 (40 psi) (45 psi) (50 psi)

CGSB Classification Can/CGSB – 51.20 – M87 (Type 4)

Flexural Strength➁ (Typical) 480kPa 585kPa 585kPa

ASTM C203-91 (70 psi) (85 psi) (85 psi)
Compressive Modulus (Typical) 965OkPa 1517OkPa 2551OkPa
ASTM D1621-73 (1400 psi) (2200 psi) (3700 psi)
NOTE:
➀ At 5% deformation or yield, whichever comes first.
Suitable safety factors must be employed to limit
long-term creep and fatigue deformations.
➁ For 25 mm or 1 inch thickness.

PROPERTY METRIC IMPERIAL

†Thermal resistance. Typical 5 year aged 0.87 (m2°C)/W 5.0 ft 2hr°F/BTU

R-value or RSI➀ ASTM C-518-91, C-177-85
Linear thermal coefficient of 6.3 x 10-2 mm/m/°C 3.5 x 10-5 in/in/°F
expansion ASTM D696-79

Capillarity NONE NONE

Water vapor permeance➀ (max) 35 ng/Pa s m2 0.6 perms

ASTM E96-90
Water absorption (% by volume) less than 0.7 less than 0.7
(max) ASTM D2842-90

Maximum operating temperature 74°C 165°F

NOTE: PRECAUTIONS:
➀ For 25 mm or 1 inch thickness. This product is combustible and
† Based on a sample 11⁄ 2" thick, the typical R-value should be properly installed.
(28 days at 70°C) = 5.2 (ft2 hr°F/BTU-inch) For specific instructions see Dow
[RSI = 0.92 (m2°C/W-25.4 mm)] literature available from your
supplier or from Dow.

15
 In the U.S., call
1-800-441-4369
In Canada, call
Western Canadian Regional Centre
(604) 948-5297
1-800-898-9276
Central Canadian Regional Centre
(416) 674-3500
1-800-268-4840
Eastern Canadian Regional Centre
1-888-309-9997

NOTICE: No freedom from any patent owned by Seller or others

is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable laws
may differ from one location to another and may change with
time, Customer is responsible for determining whether products
and the information in this document are appropriate for
Customer’s use and for ensuring that Customer’s workplace and
disposal practices are in compliance with applicable laws and
other government enactments. Dow Seller assumes no obligation
or liability for the information in this document. NO WARRANTIES
ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY
EXCLUDED.
Warning: STYROFOAM brand insulation products are combustible
and may constitute a fire hazard if improperly used or installed.
Consult Dow for further information. The material contains a
flame retardant additive to inhibit accidental ignition from small
fire sources. During shipping, storage, installation and use, these
products should not be exposed to open flame or other ignition
sources.

Dow Chemical Canada Inc.

Construction Materials

Printed in U.S.A.
*Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company DCN542-398BWW
McKAY144038