INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL POLYMER ADDITIVE ON THE PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE CONCRETE

This research investigated the effect of Renolith chemical polymer additive (RCPA) on the properties of expanded polystyrene (ESP) concrete. Renolith chemical additive is a polymer-based product in a liquid form made up of latex and cellulose. Polystyrene panels were collected as a waste materials and grinded into smaller beads. An experimental investigation was carried out on the EPS replacement ranging from 0% to 100% on the M30 (C25/C30) mix design. Engineering properties, such as workability, density, water absorption, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength tests, were studied for both the conventional and EPS concrete. The results indicate that workability increases with increasing amount of EPS contents. Water absorption, compressive, tensile, and flexural strength yielded a satisfactory result at 0-50% replacement. The density of the EPS concrete at 0-37.5% replacement revealed similar values to a conventional concrete; and light-weight concrete (1817.5 - 1030 kg⁄m3) was achieved at a 50-100% replacement. Generally, the addition of the RCPA to the concrete mix has caused an improvement in the properties of the EPS concrete. It was concluded that EPS beads can be used as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates in the production of both structural light-weight and dense concrete. The replacement of coarse aggregate with EPS beads showed a positive application as an alternative material for the construction industry