Study goals
Evaluate the technical, construction, and economic feasibility of using expanded polystyrene (EPS) as lightweight fill in embankments over soft soils along the BR-101 duplication, analyzing geotechnical performance, stability, settlement control, and cost-benefit compared to conventional methods.
Relevance / originality
The study provides a novel comparative analysis of geotechnical solutions for soft soils using instrumented data from BR-101. It highlights EPS advantages in structural performance, schedule, and cost, addressing a gap in applied studies within the Brazilian context.
Methodology / approach
Systematic literature review, collection of instrumented data, and technical comparison of five construction solutions, including EPS. Stability, settlement, and cost analyses integrated field results, geotechnical parameters, and economic projections, focusing on performance and feasibility of the adopted solution.
Main results
EPS reduced settlements by over 60%, maintained stability with FS ≥ 1.4, and halved construction time. Updated cost analysis confirmed economic advantage over alternatives, even after project redesign due to an extreme flood event.
Theoretical / methodological contributions
Expands knowledge on EPS application in Brazilian soft soils, proposing guidelines for design, construction control, and flotation risk mitigation. Provides a comparative approach integrating technical performance, cost, and logistics, supporting future research and regulatory standardization.
Social / management contributions
Provides input for public agencies and contractors in soft-soil projects, reducing costs, schedules, and environmental impacts. Demonstrates EPS potential to expand project feasibility in critical regions, optimizing resources and improving national infrastructure.