Utilizing the Waste Polystyrene to Enhance the Thermal Insulation of the Local Buildings

Abstract

In this investigation, waste polystyrene boxes were collected and treated before mixed with common concrete in especial dies to produce new brick called poly-brick. The main tests performed these tests include the measurement of thermal conductivity, overall heat transfer coefficient and the compression stress. It can be seen that the thermal conductivity of the poly-brick increased with increasing the percentage of waste polystyrene and vary from 0.78 (W/mk) at 0% Polystyrene to 0.227 (W/mk) at 50% and the overall heat transfer coefficient reduced from 7.85 to 2.77 W/m2k. Comparisons between common building structure versus the new Poly-Brick was made and it indicates that the heat transfer rate reduced from 1413 to 498.6 Watt at 50% ratio of the mixture which means 64.7% of energy saving. On the other hand, the compression stress found to be less than that for the common brick. Reduction in energy consumption, which means that low cost of heating and cooling needs, safer, clean and comfortable environment achieved. It is also leads to getting rid of the waste material and has resolved numerous design challenges such as mould.