Concrete Bricks Manufactured Using EPS Beads with Steel Fibers

Abstract

An experimental investigation was conducted to assess the behavior of solid concrete bricks when subjected to compressive loading. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) concrete was added along with steel fibers to produce solid concrete brick units. Solid concrete bricks were prepared and tested after being classified into four groups according to the ratio of EPS beads used. The EPS beads were used as a partial volumetric replacement of coarse aggregate at ratios of 15%, 20% and 25%. In addition, the steel fibers added at ratios of 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%. In comparison with the control specimen (normal concrete), using EPS beads were found to reduce the compressive strength of the solid concrete brick, this reduction increased with the replacement ratio of EPS beads with coarse aggregate. The added steel fibers increases the compressive strength with increasing steel fibers content. Furthermore, the concrete density reduced with increases EPS beads ratio, and increased with steel fibers addition. While the absorption value increases with EPS beads content increase, and this value decreased to good value with steel fibers addition increasing. The samples of solid bricks produced in the current work were verified and proved to be consistent with requirements of the ASTM standards.