PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF COARSE AGGREGATE BY EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE BEADS IN CONCRETE

CIVIL ENGINEERING

With the increase in demand for construction materials, there is a strong need to utilize alternative materials for sustainable development. The main objective of this investigation is to study the properties, such as compressive strength and tensile strengths of lightweight concrete containing Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) beads. Its properties are compared with those of the normal concrete i.e., without EPS beads. EPS beads are used as partial replacement to coarse aggregates. The results showed that the amount of polystyrene beads incorporated in concrete influences the properties of hardened concrete. It was found that compressive strength of 10%, 15%, 25%, 35% and 35% EPS incorporated concrete strengths were 91%, 77 %, 71%, 63%, 57%, and 45%, respectively when compared to concrete. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a lightweight cellular plastics material consisting of fine spherical shaped particles which are comprised of about 98% air and 2% polystyrene. It has a closed cell structure and cannot absorb water. It has a good sound and thermal insulation characteristics as well as impact resistance. Polystyrene foam is a non-biodegradable material.

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