Page 21 - LWFC Catalog

4PM - Laboratory Study on Pullout Capacities of Steel and Geogrid Reinforcements in Lightweight
4:50 PM Cellular Concrete Fill Lightweight cellular concrete (LCC) fill has been increasingly used as a
backfill material for mechanically-stabilized earth (MSE) walls, which may include steel or geogrid
reinforcement layers. Design of MSE walls with these reinforcement layers requires checking their
pullout capacities in the LCC fill against pullout forces during construction and service of the
walls. Limited pullout tests have been performed so far to evaluate pullout capacities of steel and
geogrid reinforcement layers in LCC fill. This presentation will discuss the design and preparation of
pullout specimens, the pullout test procedure, the failure modes, the pullout results under different
normal stresses, curing ages, and with cold joints, and comparisons of pullout capacities of steel
reinforcement versus geogrid reinforcement. The pullout box used in this study is 5 ft long, 2 ft
wide, and 2 ft high.

5PM - Static and Dynamic Properties of Lightweight Cellular Concrete The use of lightweight
5:50PM cellular concrete (LCC) requires an understanding of both its static and dynamic properties
and the associated behaviors, which were evaluated in this experimental study. The extensive
laboratory testing program was conducted on LCC materials with four different density values.
Results yielded the shear strength parameters, coefficients of permeability, at-rest earth pressure
coefficients, the maximum shear moduli along with the reduction in the normalized shear modulus
with strain and the damping ratio and its variation with strain were determined. LCC material
density strongly influenced the unconfined compressive strength and undrained shear strength
parameters of partially saturated samples, while it had little to no effect on the effective shear
strength parameters of the saturated materials, the at-rest earth pressure coefficient and the
Poisson’s ratio. The maximum shear moduli and the reduction in normalized shear modulus with
shear strain were both found to depend on both the LCC material density and the effective normal
stress. Damping ratios were found to decrease with an increase in shear strain to a threshold
shear strain beyond which they were found to increase reaching a similar damping ratio under a
constant effective normal stress regardless of density.

5PM - Ultra-Lightweight Foamed Glass Aggregate: A Green Choice for Resilient Construction
5:50PM Ultra-lightweight foamed glass aggregate (UL-FGA) is a lightweight fill and insulation material
that is manufactured from recycled container glass. While UL-FGA is relatively new to the U.S.
marketplace, it has a history of use in Europe for over 25 years. Closed-cell UL-FGA is a good load-
bearing layer and is non-absorptive and non-reactive. The applications for UL-FGA are vast and
include embankment construction over soft or sensitive soils or utilities, lightweight backfill for earth
retaining systems, insulation and drainage around the building envelope, and water storage in
stormwater management systems. There is an emerging trend to evaluate the sustainability of
projects from design through construction and maintenance, and material selection can greatly
influence the realization of project goals. Life cycle analysis metrics for UL-FGA will be reviewed
and a detailed description will be shared of how used glass bottles and jars are recycled into UL-
FGA. Lastly, two case studies where UL-FGA was used as a lightweight storage layer for stormwater
will be presented.

5PM - Experimental Dynamic Analyses of Lightweight Reinforced Embankments Rotary-kiln
5:50PM produced expanded aggregates contribute to reduction of structural demands due to gravity
and seismic loads on embankments. Further, their interaction with mechanically stabilized
earth reinforcement enhances their robustness in response to extreme events like earthquakes.
Advancements in numerical simulation of geotechnical structures provide an opportunity
to elevate the state of conventional design which relies on simplistic models of aggregate-
reinforcement interaction and the dynamic performance of the system. Experimental investigations
contribute to evaluation of dynamic properties of lightweight reinforced embankments through
small scale shake table studies and full-scale field vibration and impact testing. This presentation
introduces backgrounds in shake table studies and simulation of an embankment containing
expanded shale, and provides practical design, filed instrumentation and testing results of a full-
scale lightweight reinforced embankment containing expanded lightweight clay.