JSP has commercialized WALLBLOCK as a wall that does not use H steels based on the revision of the "Design and Construction Standard for EPS Method" and has accumulated many achievements as a road retaining wall. In 2016, we commercialized J-WALLBLOCK, which is more advanced in terms of workability, design and cost. The registration with NETIS was approved in 2020.
WALLBLOCK is an integrated product of EPS block, STYRODIABLOCK, and lightweight mortar as an alternative wall material to H steel and concrete wall materials. Once the floor base is completed, the wall surface can be constructed simply by stacking WALLBLOCK on the wall surface and ordinary STYRODIABLOCK on the back surface. The product was registered with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's New Technology Information System (NETIS) on March 9, 2005. Subsequently, it was also designated as a technology to promote utilization in March 2017.
STYRODIABLOCK, expanded polystyrene blocks are ideal as lightweight fill material in the EPS civil engineering method. It is widely used in many fields in Japan.
The unit volume weight of EPS block is 0.12 to 0.35 kN/m3, which is about 1/100 of the unit volume weight of common fill materials. It minimizes the impact of the embankment on the existing ground. Its allowable compressive stress is 20 to 200 kN/m2 which is the necessary strength for embankments. It is also water-repellent and absorbs little water, so there is no change in wet density as in ordinary embankments. Uniform fill quality is ensured both before and after construction. Furthermore, it has a high shock-absorbing property and its buffering effect against falling rocks is several times greater than that of sand. It is an excellent cushioning material for the upper part of rock sheds.
STYRODIABLOCK has never been damaged or decomposed by microorganisms, insects or small animals in the soil. However, surface degradation due to ultraviolet rays does occur, so care should be taken when storing STYRODIABLOCK. In addition, even if ignited, flame-retardant STYRODIABLOCK will extinguish spontaneously within 3 seconds after the source of the fire is removed.
As for workability, STYRODIABLOCK is lightweight and can be installed by hand. Since it does not require large construction equipment, large-scale loading ramps, or temporary construction work, it can be installed on narrow lots and steep slopes. In replacement works such as soft ground measures, immediate construction and uniform quality are provided to the road. In addition, it can be constructed at a very low cost compared to the deep improvement method. The possibility of construction failure is small, and it is economical in total, including maintenance and management.
More than 20 years have passed since the EPS civil engineering method was introduced to Japan, with 9,800 projects and more than 4.73 million m3 of construction volume in Japan.
MIRASTICK is a low-density profile extruded polyethylene foam. It has excellent impact resistance and durability. It is used as a protective material for furniture and pillars, and can be easily cut with cutters or scissors.