Title:
Foundation Moduli For Sub-Slab Insulation Board?
Author(s):
Scott M. Tarr and Peter J. Nussbaum
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
24
Issue:
10
Appears on pages(s):
75-79
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
10/1/2002
Abstract:
Polystyrene insulation is used below ice rink and freezer or cooler warehouse floors to conserve cooling energy and to insulate and protect underlying subgrade soils from freezing and potential frost heave. For the thickness design of concrete floor slabs placed over polystyrene insulation board, the designer needs to know the board’s modulus of subgrade reaction (k). To quantify the variance between foundation modulus and modulus of subgrade reaction, plate bearing tests were conducted in accordance with ASTM D 1196 on several polystyrene board materials commonly used below concrete floor slabs. Unconfined compression tests, in accordance with ASTM D 1621, were also performed on the same polystyrene materials. Subsequently, a comparison was made between the modulus of subgrade reaction from the plate-bearing tests and the foundation modulus from the compression tests data.