Case histories using foamglass for roads to reduce settlement and stability problems

Abstract

Many existing roads on fills in sloping terrain, experience problems with stability, bearing capacity and settlements. Lightweight fills with foamglass will reduce these problems.
There is a large potensial for foamglass to be used for repair of unstable steep slopes that already have a problem with settlements and deformations. Foamglass can also be used as a lightweight fill material in planned roads where the ground is believed to have reduced bearing capacity. This method has been used on several projects.
This paper will focus on construction, testing and experience with several sites where foam glass have been used.
Highway 120 in Østfold in Norway was repaired because of soft ground in 2011, according to settlement and stability problems in steep slopes. Visual inspection on building site in november same year showed no negative results. Samples have been taken from the construction site and had this tested in the lab for different qualities.