การใช้วัสดุ Expanded Polystyrene Geofoam (EPS) เพื่อลดการทรุดตัวของคันทางและคอสะพานในประเทศไทย

Abstract

Highways constructed on the Bangkok clay area are subjected to excessive settlement due to loads. There are two types of structures generally used in highway construction including pavement and bridge structures. Differential settlement often occurs between these two types of structures resulting in reduction of driving comfort. Highway agencies usually use so called bearing unit to adjust this differential settlement. However, it cannot cope with this problem as embankment construction on soft clay will continuously settlement. Asphalt levelling at the approach structure is usually the solution to keep smoothness to the pavement surface but it is adding weight to the structure therefore increasing the rate of differential settlement. Highway agencies need more budget on maintenance for driving quality. This paper presents a case study on the use of Expanded Polystyrene Geofoam (EPS) as an alternative solution to reduce differential settlement at bridge approach. The analysis includes reliability study of using EPS in various situations. The analysis shows that the use of EPS is worth the investment as well as reduction of energy consumption and pollution generated from transportation and road machinery in the compaction of traditional embankment material compared to EPS. The use of EPS promotes reduction in the damage to highways that need to transport embankment materials through highway networks as well as shorten of construction period.