THE Department of Public Works and Highways will use a cheap but durable polystyrene, a “geofoam” technology, for various embankment materials for infrastructure projects.
Geofoam is a large block made from expanded polystyrene with enormous compressive strength that makes it ideal as a construction material, according to DPWH Undersecretary Dimas Soguilon.
“Successful research studies of DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards led the decision to utilize geofoam which was proven to be a very durable, lightweight, cost-efficient, and time-saving,” he said.
He said geofoam would be used in embankment projects until September 2022.
“The need is growing for alternative solutions to conventional embankments that take huge amount time to be accomplished especially during rainy season. We hope that with geofoam, these projects will be delivered to the public on time,” Soguilon said.
The DPWH will also utilize other nonconventional solutions for projects which include the use of coconet materials for slope protection, and gabions as both slope protection and river control projects.