Optimising lightweight concrete and bricks using expanded polystyrene beads and silica fume: a sustainable approach to construction materials

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Abstract

Construction components are in greater demand as a result of the rapid growth of the building sector. This study investigated the feasibility of using expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads in combination with silica fume to produce lightweight construction materials. The strength and weight properties were determined using different types of mixed samples consisting of bricks and concrete of the same grade. The results were compared with the standard samples and cast with EPS. EPS was used as a volumetric replacement of 0; 10; and 20 % of coarse and fine aggregate along with silica fume to increase the strength of concrete and bricks for the experiment. The results revealed that when using 10% and 20 % EPS, the unit weight of the concrete samples decreased by 9 and 16 %, whereas the compressive strength decreased by 25 and 43 %, respectively. For the bricks, the weight decreased by 10 and 19 %, whereas the strength decreased by 26 and 49 %, respectively. Cement was replaced with 7,5 and 12,5 % silica fume in various combinations with these EPS substitutes to mitigate the loss of strength. The results showed an increase in the strength of the EPS-mixed concrete increased by 9 % when pozzolanic material was used, and the strength of the brick increased by 6,5 % compared with normal samples. In the combined effectiveness analysis, the EPS used in bricks was more effective than in concrete samples. Therefore, based on the effectiveness analysis, EPS can be easily used in a moderate range of building materials.