Changes of Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Cement Mortar Mixed with Recycled Expanded Polystyrene and Subjected to High Temperatures

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence of the recycled expanded polystyrene as lightweight aggregate on the mechanical properties of lightweight cement mortar when subjected to high temperatures.Various tests have been carried out on different mixtures of mortar. The water/cement mix proportion has always been the same and only the nature of the aggregates has changed, with a partial replacement of the conventional aggregate by recycled ground EPS (EPS-G) with values ranging from 10% to 30%, achieving significant results in relation to exposure to high temperatures. In this research, the samples have been subjected to different temperatures of exposure, in order to analyze the influence of the lightweight recycled arid dosage in the mechanical properties of mortars.The results of this study show the ability of mechanical response at high temperatures with light mortars EPS-G. This study shows how this new mix can be used in different building types, optimizing construction materials and reducing mortars density while transforming a residual product into an active product.