Effect of matrix particle size on EPS lightweight concrete properties

Duc Hoang Minh,Ly Le Phuong,A Volkov,A Adamtsevich,A Pustovgar

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201825101027

Duc Hoang Minh, Ly Le Phuong + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201825101027

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Abstract

Expanded polystyrene lightweight concrete is a composite which can be made by adding expanded polystyrene aggregate in normalweight concrete (as matrix). The research was focused on the effect of properties and volume of the matrix on the properties of lightweight concrete. The results show that properties of structural polystyrene concrete, such as workability and compressive strength, depend on the aggregate size of the matrix. It also shows that decreasing aggregate size of the matrix is the effective way to increase workability and compressive strength of lightweight concrete. When the density of concretes decrease by 200 kg/m³, slump values decrease by about 20 to 30 mm with lightweight concrete mixtures using maximum particle size of 0.63 mm, while slump values decrease by about 40 mm with the mixtures using maximum particle size of 20 mm. At the same density, the compressive strength of the structural polystyrenre concrete significantly decreased when the coarse aggregate diameter greater than 10 mm. Therefore, coarse aggregates with diameter size are smaller than 10 mm was recommended to use for matrix. In the result, expanded polystyrene concrete with density from 1,400 kg/m³ to 2,000 kg/m³ and compressive strength more than 20 MPa for structural application was made.

Highlights

Lightweight concretes have been successfully used in the construction, thanks to its low density
With expanded polystyrene (EPS), due to the density is much smaller than the density of normal aggregate, this study determined the density of EPS by calculation, by determining bulk density and voids of EPS aggregate, according to the method used in the study [3]
Structural polystyrenre concretes is made by adding a certain amount of EPS aggregate that calculated on the basic of the density concrete mixture and the properties of material, matrix

Summary

Introduction

Lightweight concretes have been successfully used in the construction, thanks to its low density. With structural polystyrene concrete, having density from 1,400 kg/m3 to 2,000 kg/m3 and having maximum particle size of normal aggregate smaller than EPS particle size, the mortar excessive coefficient is high. In the two orther types of structures, when EPS particle size is less than or equal to the maximum particle size of the aggregate in the matrix, we can use normal coarse aggregates in the matrix for structural polystyrene concrete, having density from 1,400 kg/m3 to 2,000 kg/m3. With a high volume percentage of matrix, high density of lightweight concrete mixture, space between EPS bead may be large enough for coarse aggregates.

Materials and testing methods

Maximum particle size

Testing plant

Workability

Compressive strength

Conclusions