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The influence of expanded polystyrene granules on the properties of foam concrete

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Abstract

Foam concrete stands out among special concrete for presenting a porous structure by incorporating foam into the cement matrix. The tendency for bubbles to coalesce and collapse during preparation poses some challenges in production and control over the properties of cell structures. This research aims to evaluate the behavior of cellular concrete using ultra-lightweight expanded polystyrene aggregate (EPS) as a source for reducing specific mass. Since, there are few publications investigating the integration of EPS pearls in foam concrete. For comparison, samples were made with Portland cement and quartz aggregate using the dosage method proposed by Ferreira (1987) for foamed concrete. In these concretes, properties in the plastic state were evaluated, compressive strength and ultrasonic wave propagation velocity tests were carried out at 3, 7, and 28 days and, in addition to these tests, at 28 days, the absorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction were carried out, under three water/binder factors: 0.38, 0.42 and 0.46. The results showed an apparent specific mass below 750 kg/m3 and mechanical strength of up to 1 MPa. The replacement of expanded polystyrene promoted an average reduction in mass over the volume of around 30%. Making the technology more commercial for the use of thermal and acoustic insulators requires further studies to improve the product. In general, EPS aggregate is a viable and advantageous alternative when applied to cellular concrete from the point of view of the civil construction industry.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), for the financial support (finance code 001), and the Chemistry Laboratory of the Agreste Academic Center (CAA) for the structural support of the laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Binder Technology (LabTag), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

    Tacila Bertulino de Souza & Antônio Acácio de Melo Neto

  2. Civil Engineering Studies Center (CESEC), Post-Graduate in Civil Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil

    Marcelo H. F. Medeiros

  3. Department of Rural Technology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

    Fernanda W. C. Araújo

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  1. Tacila Bertulino de Souza
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de Souza, T.B., Medeiros, M.H.F., Araújo, F.W.C. et al. The influence of expanded polystyrene granules on the properties of foam concrete. Mater Struct 56, 19 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-023-02109-9

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