SR85 Polystyrene aggregate concrete (2007)

A study of concrete made with polystyrene beads as aggregate was carried out. Three different densities were investigated, and at each density, mixes both with and without fly ash were examined.

It was found that polystyrene concrete is very prone to segregation, has low compressive strength and has a relatively high drying shrinkage for the densities investigated.

Thermal conductivity testing showed that the lighter the concrete, the lower the thermal conductivity.

Adding fly ash to the mixes decreased the water demand, and hence the density and shrinkage, but also caused a significant compressive strength reduction.