INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL POLYMER ADDITIVE ON THE PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE CONCRETE

John Wasiu,Daoud Mohammad Baba

doi:10.14311/ap.2020.60.0158

Abstract

This research investigated the effect of Renolith chemical polymer additive (RCPA) on the properties of expanded polystyrene (ESP) concrete. Renolith chemical additive is a polymer-based product in a liquid form made up of latex and cellulose. Polystyrene panels were collected as a waste materials and grinded into smaller beads. An experimental investigation was carried out on the EPS replacement ranging from 0% to 100% on the M30 (C25/C30) mix design. Engineering properties, such as workability, density, water absorption, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength tests, were studied for both the conventional and EPS concrete. The results indicate that workability increases with increasing amount of EPS contents. Water absorption, compressive, tensile, and flexural strength yielded a satisfactory result at 0-50% replacement. The density of the EPS concrete at 0-37.5% replacement revealed similar values to a conventional concrete; and light-weight concrete (1817.5 - 1030 kg⁄m3) was achieved at a 50-100% replacement. Generally, the addition of the RCPA to the concrete mix has caused an improvement in the properties of the EPS concrete. It was concluded that EPS beads can be used as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates in the production of both structural light-weight and dense concrete. The replacement of coarse aggregate with EPS beads showed a positive application as an alternative material for the construction industry.

Highlights

Concrete has been in use for centuries and it is the most commonly used material in building construction and civil engineering structures
The results indicate that workability increases with increasing amount of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) contents
The addition of the Renolith chemical polymer additive (RCPA) to the concrete mix has caused an improvement in the properties of the EPS concrete

Summary

Introduction

Concrete has been in use for centuries and it is the most commonly used material in building construction and civil engineering structures. The word concrete comes from the Latin word concretus, meaning “mixed together” or “hardened”. Concrete is a civil engineering material resulting from the mixture of cement, coarse and fine aggregates and water. Admixtures may be added to modify one or more properties in the fresh and/or hardened state of the concrete. Such a material, when properly batched and thoroughly mixed, sets through the process of hydration and hardens into a concrete mass that can withstand compressive stresses. According to Oyenuga [1], normal-weight concrete has a density equal to 2400 kg⁄m3 while a light-weight one from 160 to 1920 kg⁄m3

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Conclusion