Speaker
Description
The growing number of non-biodegradable waste materials presents a significant environmental issue, especially when considering synthetic polymers such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) being among the most enduring pollutants. These materials are widely used in packaging and construction, yet their disposal remains a challenge as they build up in landfills and marine environments, contributing to long-term pollution. Transforming this waste into valuable resources offers an opportunity to mitigate environmental impacts while promoting sustainable material use in construction.
Researchers have investigated EPS over the past decade as a potential replacement of aggregates in cement-based materials. Most studies have primarily focused on pure EPS and not waste. XPS on the other hand, whether in its pure form or as waste, has received limited attention, despite being a material with better mechanical strength compared to EPS. Studies showed that the incorporation of EPS into mortar mixes improves properties like thermal insulation and workability, although it results in reduction of mechanical strength. A recent investigation, performed by the authors, focused on incorporation of XPS waste in cement composites as sand replacement and demonstrated its potential to create lightweight materials with thermal insulation properties alongside with satisfactory mechanical performance. The differences in physical and mechanical properties between EPS and XPS necessitate a direct performance comparison in cement-based composites to determine the most suitable applications for each material composite.
The present study aims to address this research gap by experimentally investigating the effects of replacing sand with varying percentages of EPS and XPS waste in cement composites. The study aims to develop multifunctional materials that combine weight reduction and increase in thermal insulation. Mixtures with different replacement levels are produced to assess and compare fresh state properties, mechanical behavior, and thermal conductivity of the produced composite materials and provide insights into their respective advantages and limitations. The results contribute to determining the most effective applications of the produced materials, ultimately contributing to the development of sustainable and functionally efficient cement composites for different construction purposes.
