Case Study of EPS Aggregate Insulation Material Used in Construction Sites

• Published in: Environmental and Climate Technologies Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 21 - 31
• Main Authors: Bumanis, Girts, Bajare, Diana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Riga Sciendo 01-01-2024; Riga Technical University
• Subjects: Civil engineering; Compressive strength; Concrete; Concrete aggregates; Construction; Construction sites; Drying; Insulation; insulation material; Low cost; Mechanical properties; Physical properties; Portland cement; Portland cements; Raw materials; recycled EPS; Schedules; Thermal conductivity; Thermal insulation; Waste recycling
• ISSN: 2255-8837; 1691-5208; 2255-8837
• DOI: 10.2478/rtuect-2024-0003

Thermal insulation materials used in civil engineering have been developing throughout time. One of the latest thermal insulation used in construction sites with gained popularity is EPS aggregate and mineral binder-based composite. Waste recycling potential, low cost, and ease of installation have brought popularity to the material. This research investigates such material which is formulated by EPS aggregates and pure Portland cement binder thus making EPS aggregate concrete (EAC). Many contractors use such untested and uncertified EAC material due to the low cost of the raw materials. In this research, EAC was taken directly from the construction site. Material physical and mechanical properties are evaluated and compared to commercial counterparts. The drying of the material was investigated, following the practice in the construction sites where upper covering layers are built according to the time schedule ignoring material drying process. Results were compared with commercial EAC. Results indicate that rapid construction schedule with layer-to-layer covering of wet EAC results in dramatically slow drying of such composites, which is one of the main problems for safe use in civil engineering. EAC density from 113 to 169 kg/m
was measured with an average compressive strength of 49 kPa. The thermal conductivity of the tested EAC was from 0.050 to 0.055 W/(mK).