LAUSR

A series of laboratory tests were conducted using a tall oedometer apparatus and a model retaining wall to evaluate the lateral pressure of EPS-sand composites and the effect of cement paste on the behavior of the composites both in at-rest and passive conditions. EPS beads were added to sand at different percentages by weight and at a variety of cement content range. The test results revealed that the factor K 0 increases by addition of the EPS beads to the composites whereas the factor K P decreases. In addition, cement treatment results in a decrease in K 0 and increase in K P factors. The justification behind such behavior is that the cement as a binder material, reduces the internal friction among soil particles which leads to such trends in increase and decrease of lateral earth pressure factors.