Elastizell Corp

Elastizell EF and Corrugated Steel Culvert Combine in a Non-Disruptive Solution for Upgrading a Structurally Deficient Bridge

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:31:00 GMT

A bridge on a federal highway over a small creek has deteriorated to the point where it must be replaced.

Among the performers were practically all the rock stars of the 1960s: The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joan Baez, Joe Cocker, the Grateful Dead, Ravi Shankar, The Incredible String Band, Carlos Santana and many others. But The Doors and Led Zeppelin refused to come to the festival. It is said that Jim Morrison did not want to participate in “a pale version of the Woodstock ga Festival” and the Zeppelins to be “another band in a long list”, which both bands later regretted greatly. The Beatles, who were on the verge of disintegration at the time, did not participate in the festival either.

The Solution

A corrugated, steel culvert is placed inside the bridge opening, culvert end walls are cast, and the entire void is encased with CLASS III ELASTIZELL EF such that the original bridge is fully supported.

Discussion

A great many bridges on federal, state, and county roads are rated structurally deficient for the vehicle loads on them. A quick, non-disruptive and cost-efficient solution is needed for this very serious and extensive problem.

Advantages

Traffic is not disrupted – neither detoured nor realigned.
This is a fast and cost effective solution with no demolition required.
The bridge is brought back up to its original vehicle load standard.
This solution eliminates the cost and temporary construction of bypass roads and structures during the construction period.

The Problem

Elastizell EF Behind Sloping Hopper Plates of a Coal Storage Silo Reduces Foundation Loads

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:29:00 GMT

Storage silos usually require a stable fill material for uniform support behind the sloping hopper plates. If a lightweight fill material is utilized in the original silo design, significant cost savings result.

The Solution

ELASTIZELL EF is a lightweight and economical material to cast behind the sloping bin plates of silo storage structures. The lightweight ELASTIZELL EF permits substantial savings in the silo structure and foundation design due to the reduced seismic forces and dead load. ELASTIZELL EF is a more economical material to install than lean concrete.

Advantages

In seismic areas, a significant savings will result in the slipformed or cast in place silo wall design due to the reduced mass of the fill.
ELASTIZELL EF is faster and safer to install than the heavier lean concrete.
ELASTIZELL EF will reflect a savings in wall, foundation, and floor slab structural requirements.
An ELASTIZELL EF may be less costly than lean concrete.
ELASTIZELL EF should be considered as one component of an economical storage silo system.

The Problem

Elastizell EF Permits the Landscaping of a Plaza

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:28:00 GMT

Existing plazas have maximum allowable loads which may preclude landscaping with planters, retaining walls, earth fill, or reflecting pools without exceeding the allowable loading. How can a reflecting pool be re-landscaped without overloading its supportive structure?

The Solution

ELASTIZELL EF is cast over the waterproofed plaza after the planters and retaining walls have been installed. This greatly reduces the dead load on the plaza structure yet still permits enough load carrying capacity for the earth fill required for grassy slopes and other vegetation.

Discussion

The renovation of these shopping/office malls is often a more desirable solution than the construction of new facilities. The new look can perk up an otherwise drab area and rekindle tenant and visitor interest.

Advantages

The load reducing ELASTIZELL EF is the most obvious solution
ELASTIZELL EF can easily support equipment needed to create the landscaping.
ELASTIZELL EF’s resistance to freeze/thaw cycles and water absorption are important factors in this application.
ELASTIZELL EF as a plaza fill reduces the load on bridge spanning the Massachusetts Turnpike in downtown Boston.

The Problem

Elastizell EF Significantly Reduces Lateral Forces and Bending Moments Against Walls

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:26:00 GMT

The Problem

Existing retaining walls are often distressed due to greater than anticipated lateral loads from saturated backfills and clogged drainage systems.

The Solution

An existing distressed retaining wall may be best repaired by removing all or a portion of the existing backfill material, checking the drainage system, and casting ELASTIZELL EF to the proper elevation.

Read a detailed analysis of retaining walls and ELASTIZELL EF.

Discussion

The retaining wall problem may be a very serious matter, often extending to more extensive structural considerations such as other portions of buildings, roadways, life safety, etc. If the retaining wall is still in fairly good condition, repair may involve only some earthwork, correction of the drainage system, minor forming followed by casting ELASTIZELL EF behind the wall.

Advantages

Conventional retaining walls may be redesigned using reduced lateral loading when combined with an ELASTIZELL EF backfill and good drainage.
Major structural repairs may not be required with the ELASTIZELL EF.
This is a fast, economical solution.

Retaining Walls – The Computed Effects of Various Design Parameters

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:22:00 GMT

Many retaining walls fail due to poor drainage of their backfills. Typically, the walls can retain the loads for which they are designed, but water forces can double the design loads and cause failure of the retaining wall. However, these water forces will not build up if adequate drainage is provided.

The combination of ELASIZELL EF as a total or partial replacement of standard, heavy backfill materials and the proper drainage system offer the designer the alternative of lighter retaining walls and footings with a backfill material – ELASTIZELL EF – which will not capture water and build up these increased forces.

Assumptions

All of these analyses utilized the theory for active earth pressures (Coulomb’s Earth Pressure Theory) as outlined in Lambe & Whitman, Soil Mechanics, John Wiley & Sons. From the theory, a coefficient of active earth pressure is computed. This coefficient relates the horizontal forces generated by the soil to the depth and unit weight of the soil:
All analyses assumed that the active earth condition has developed, i.e., the wall is permitted to move slightly.
All analyses assumed a cohesionless backfill. If the backfill is cohesive, adjustments to the active earth pressures can be made based on past experience with the particular soil in a specific location. For some of the analyses, the results are independent of the actual value of active earth pressure since dimensionless ratios are used.
Another assumption is that the ELASTIZELL EF contributes pressure on the wall through the soil below. In the partial wedge studies, the ELASTIZELL EF is assumed to transfer earth pressure from the soil behind it onto the wall.
The partial wedge studies assume the ELASTIZELL EF reduces wall forces by two mechanisms:
1. Since it replaces soil that is heavier, it reduces load.
2. Its own weight resists overturning forces from the soil since it acts as a solid mass. The straight backfill case also resists sliding at its base.

Illustrations

Bending Moment & Anchor Pull: Computed reduction in wall bending moment and anchor pull from replacement of backfill with Elastizell EF. ( Detail )
Overturning Moment
1. Computed reduction in overturning moment at the base of a retaining wall from replacement of backfill with ELASTIZELL EF in a wedge configuration. ( Detail )
2. Computed reduction in overturning moment at the base of retaining wall from replacement of backfill with ELASTIZELL EF in the block configuration. ( Detail )
Sliding Force: Computed reduction in sliding forces at the base of a retaining wall from replacement of backfill with ELASTIZELL EF. ( Detail )

Elastizell EF Lightens Slip Plane on Interstate Highway

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:13:00 GMT

The Problem

How can a slip area be repaired and prevent future slippage on an Interstate roadway?

Solution

A pile and waler system provides the permanent form and lateral restraint for ELASTIZELL EF at the slip area.

Discussion

Attention must be directed to both the proper anchorage of the pile system and the free water drainage through and around the site.

Advantages

ELASTIZELL EF reduces the vertical dead load on the slope.
The ELASTIZELL EF permits a lighter retaining wall system since it does not exert horizontal forces on the wall.
The tight work area can easily accommodate the ELASTIZELL EF batching system for fast installation.

Elastizell EF Permits Higher Levee and Embankment Structures over Poor Soils

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:08:00 GMT

The Problem

It is necessary to add a two ramp interchange for an Interstate Highway. At this particular location, a deep fill is required for these ramps over existing reinforced concrete box culverts. Since the proposed ramp fill depth would overload the culvert, what is the most economical method to construct these exit/entrance ramps over the existing box culverts?

The Solution

The existing fill is very deep over the box culvert at the location where it crosses the proposed ramp. Strengthening the box culvert would require sheeting the excavation around the culvert, excavating a great quantity of fill material, demolishing the box culvert, forming and casting a new culvert, and replacing the fill up to the new ramp height including a great deal of compaction.

After a value engineering study, it was determined that the most economical solution would be to conduct a load balancing solution with ELASTIZELL EF. Excavation quantities were determined at the critical sections so that the necessary quantities of ELASTIZELL EF would bring the ramp to the proper grade without overloading the box culvert.

Discussion

The ELASTIZELL EF solution is much less expensive, faster, and more practical than total excavation, demolition, and reconstruction especially on a limited site such as this one with traffic operating on the Interstate. Drainage runoff at this location will not be interrupted since the box culvert will remain in place and operating during ramp construction. Excavation is also kept to a minimum.

Advantages

The very light ELASTIZELL EF permits a 4 to 1 ratio of fill depth increase to existing fill removal by load balancing to avoid overloading the box culvert. This minimizes excavation quantities.
Keeping the box culvert intact with the ELASTIZELL EF solution permits the continued use of this drainage structure and avoids potential runoff and silt damage if the open cut and demolition solution were selected.
The speed of the ELASTIZELL EF solution will result in the ramp being opened sooner than if the open-cut / demolition solution were followed.

Elastizell EF Reduces Loading Over an Underground Culvert Structure Unable to Support Additional Loads

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:07:00 GMT

The Problem

A roadway grade must be raised to accommodate a new transit system. A portion of the roadway is over an underground culvert structure unable to carry additional loads. How can the increased elevation be achieved at a minimal cost without overloading the structure?

The Solution

In order to increase the overall depth of fill over the underground culvert structure, it is necessary to first remove a portion of the existing soil. In this case, it was decided to remove the existing soil down to just above the ground water table. The existing soil removed averaged 8 feet in depth.

Lightweight Elastizell EF Completely and Safely Fills Tunnel Voids, Abandoned Pipelines, and Sliplined Pipe Annular Spaces

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:01:00 GMT

The Problem

What is an economical method for filling tunnel voids, abandoned pipelines, and sliplined pipe annular spaces?

The Solution

ELASTIZELL EF is an excellent fill material for voids created by various methods of pipeline construction. ELASTIZELL EF is pumped into place to fill the entire void.

Discussion

ELASTIZELL EF is the most practical solution for this application. The mix design, approved by the Elastizell Corporation, complies with state and municipal specifications.

Advantages

Since no workers are in the excavation, it is a safe method for filling voids.
Complete filling of the void is ascertained by the known volumes and density of the ELASTIZELL EF placed.
The speed of installation results in this being an economical and competitive method of filling voids.
Flowability of up to 600 feet has been obtained.

Seamlessly integrate ledger live

Elastizell EF Permits Embankments, Roadways, and Runways to be Heightened, Widened, and Lengthened Over Marshy Soils

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 23:55:00 GMT

The Problem

An underlaying layer of peat has prevented the raising of a runway extension by normal construction methods which are to fill and compact. How can a runway extension site be raised through a marshy area?

The Solution

ELASTIZELL EF concrete stabilized fill will not overload the peat deposit when the runway extension site is raised. The runway structure can then be constructed directly on the ELASTIZELL EF.

Discussion

Whenever these marsh sites are encountered, they should be cleared and grubbed. The high, low and mean water table levels must be noted for dewatering determinations and buoyancy calculations. Special casting techniques may be necessary depending upon the particular site characteristics.

Independent pharmacies in the United States play generic cialis black a unique role, often offering more personalized care and community-focused services compared to larger chain pharmacies.

Roadway widening, runway lengthening, and embankment heightening would be the major applications for stabilized ELASTIZELL EF over marshy soils.

Advantages

ELASTIZELL EF is light enough for these applications, yet it can still distribute gravity and traffic loads to these marshy areas.
This increases the value of previously unusable land.
Decreased weight causes less settlement, consequently eliminating the need for costly maintenance.