Investigating the Effect of Waste Polystyrene Dissolved in Paint Thinner Product as an Admixture and Coating Sealer on Concrete Properties

Abstract

Concrete is one of the major most widely used construction materials, due to its affordability, wide usability, and formability. Unfortunately, damages to concrete may occur over time causing structural and/or appearance defects. Concrete damage is mostly caused by surface water intrusion and penetration. Water intrusion can be caused by rainwater, poor drainage, and surrounding atmosphere humidity along with chloride ion ingress in marine structures and from de-icing salts in winter. If not prevented, water intrusion may lead to severe concrete deterioration, corrosion of reinforcement, and ultimately strength loss. Therefore, the main objective of this research has been to introduce and investigate the ability of a new type of admixture and coating material, by the use of waste material, on moisture sensitivity and chloride ion ingress of concrete. The polystyrene used in this research, as waste material, can be easily dissolved in paint thinner in order to produce a viscous solution. This viscous product is investigated in this study as an admixture to the fresh concrete and a coating sealer to the hardened concrete. The effect of the new material as an admixture or a coating sealer on permeability, porosity, absorption of the concrete, and the chloride ion effect have been all investigated. Specific tests per ASTM standards have been employed on the fresh and hardened concrete in order to achieve these objectives. Results have clearly showed that the new material has been very successful in reducing the permeability of the concrete when used as a coating sealer but not as an admixture. Therefore, a new type of coating sealer could be introduced in the construction market that can be easily produced by the use of a recycled/waste material.