The development of lightweight expanded polystyrene concrete blocks

Abstract

Nowadays, a new development of lightweight concrete has been introduced to use in construction. This is because lightweight concrete present an essential decrease in density if compared with normal concrete. The objective of this research is to create a lighter material for construction, decrease the dead loading for structural. Materials like polystyrene and quarry dust was used in studies. The characteristic of polystyrene is reducing the density of concrete while quarry dust was used as partially replacement for sand to refill the void and smoother the surface of concrete. Before start the research, proportional design is created to investigate the properties of lightweight concrete. Then, methodology is planned and several tests will move on like slump test, density analysis, water absorption and compression test. In this research, there seven samples was created and sample A was used as control sample which are absent of polystyrene; whereas, the optimum ratio of lightweight concrete is sample F with low density and high in compression strength. Sample F was achieved 10.135 MPa in compression test, 1300 kg/m3 in dry density and 9.765 % in water absorption. Although the strength of sample F is 44 % lower than control sample, but sample F is 36 % lighter than control sample. As a conclusion, there are four samples was fully achieve the objective which the density is lower than 1800 kg/m3 and the compression strength are higher 5 MPa.