Effect of Expanded Polystyrene Beads on Mechanical, Thermal, and Acoustic Properties of Lightweight Concrete

Lightweight concrete has emerged as a promising solution in the construction industry, aligning with the goals of sustainability, energy efficiency, and streamlined construction practices. This study explores the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads in lightweight concrete for sustainable construction advancements. The research findings indicated that a rise in the ratio of EPS beads leads to a notable reduction in compressive strength compared to the controlled sample, with a reduction of 49% at the 4% percent of EPS beads ratio (by weight of cement), while higher sand-cement ratios result in increased compressive strength. Furthermore, an elevation in the EPS beads ratio correlates with a decline in bulk density and water absorption, directly associated with the inclusion of EPS. Notably, an elevated EPS beads ratio having lesser sand content leads to an increase the thermal conductivity, with the optimum results achieved at a 3.5 sand-cement ratio and 4% beads ratio, surpassing the performance of the control mix to 50%. Additionally, as the ratio of EPS beads increases, the fire resistance of the lightweight concrete improves, as evidenced by a temperature increase of only 36 degrees C at the outer surface in comparison to 73 degrees C for the control sample after one hour. The value of the sound reduction index is also increased with an increasing beads ratio, as reflected by a sound reduction index of 43.4dB at 1250 Hz frequency for the 4% beads ratio, compared to 18.5dB for the control sample.