Properties of modified polystyrene lightweight aggregate in concrete

Abstract

Several experiments were conducted to characterize the properties of modified polystyrene lightweight aggregate in concrete. Microstructure of modified polystyrene lightweight aggregate in concrete can be assessed by the result from SEM. Porous modified polystyrene lightweight aggregates were mixed with ordinary portland cement (OPC), sand and water to form lightweight concrete. Compressive strength, flexural strength, distribution of aggregate and the interfacial zone were connected to SEM result. The results showed that modified polystyrene lightweight aggregate concrete was not satisfied the minimum requirement strength for structural concrete.