The Effect of Expanded Glass and Crushed Expanded Polystyrene on the Performance Characteristics of Lightweight Concrete

This paper describes the production and performance characteristics of lightweight concrete (LWC) made from porous aggregates, such as expanded glass (EG), made from glass waste, and crushed expanded polystyrene waste (CEPW), obtained by crushing packaging waste from household appliances and ordinary Portland cement (OPC). During the study, the LWC density, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, bending strength, water absorption, deformations, composite structure, and freeze-thaw resistance were evaluated. By changing the amount of OPC and replacing part of the EG with CEPW, it was possible to reduce the thermal conductivity from 0.0977 to 0.0720 W/(mK). The presence of CEPW did not degrade compressive and bending strength or long-term water absorption of LWC. The influence of the amount of porous aggregates and OPC on the resistance to freezing and thawing was investigated by two methods. In one case, the freezing resistance was studied by the method of one-sided freezing of LWC structural indicators and, in the other case, the freezing resistance was determined by the decrease in compressive strength after 25, 100, and 200 freeze-thaw cycles. By modifying the structure with CEPW aggregate the durability of LWC products was increased and deformations were decreased.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the production and performance characteristics of lightweight concrete (LWC) made from porous aggregates such as expanded glass (EG) and crushed expanded polystyrene waste (CEPW). The effects of OPC content and substitution of EG with CEPW on thermal conductivity, compressive strength, bending strength, water absorption, deformations, composite structure, and freeze-thaw resistance of LWC were investigated. The presence of CEPW did not negatively impact the strength and water absorption of LWC, while increasing the durability and reducing deformations by modifying the structure.