Evaluation of light concrete performance with addition of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS): literature review

Abstract

The civil construction sector has always been marked by demanding a large amount of natural resources, usually driven by the need to build houses and buildings, making it one of the industrial sectors that consume the most raw materials, reaching the appropriation of around 50% these resources. Therefore, sustainable construction is the main bet for improving the alarming rates of this industrial sector in relation to the preservation of the environment. Thus, this work focuses on the use of recyclable materials as an aggregate in the production of light concrete. Currently, there are several lines of academic research on this topic. In this context, the addition of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) to concrete has been showing satisfactory results regarding strength, quality of finish and reduction of the own weight of building components. This work aims to expose the advantages and disadvantages of adding EPS as a concrete aggregate, as well as its thermal performance and its mechanical resistance, based on a literature review that addresses the topic addressed. Based on this literature review, it was concluded that the addition of EPS becomes advantageous because it reduces the structure's own weight, reducing the amount of material needed to resist efforts, in addition to all the contribution to the environment, by saving resources and also allowing the possibility of using recyclable EPS waste in their production.