Investigations of the Influence of Polystyrene Foamed Granules on the Properties of Lightweight Concrete

This paper deals with the behaviour of cement paste upon the addition of crushed polystyrene foam. Crushed polystyrene foam waste with a fill density of 13.97 kg/m³ and hydrated lime were used to prepare the foam. Three different types of samples S-1, S-2, and S-3 were prepared to observe the behaviour of cement pastes after the addition of different doses of foam in constant water/cement ratio. The volumetric ratio of EPS and cement paste were 1: 1.294; 1: 0.863; and 1: 0.647. In each type of sample, 0.28 water/cement ratio is maintained. Slump test was carried out in the fresh state and it has been found slump value was decreasing by increasing foam content in concrete sample. On the 7^th and 28^th day of curing process, the compressive strength test was carried out. Compressive strength and density of concrete samples also decreasing by addition of higher foam content. In addition, water absorption test and microscopic analysis tests were carried out on the 28^th day of curing process. It has been found from the study that samples thermal conductivity is working proportionally.