International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE)

ISSN: 2277-3878, Volume-9 Issue-5, January 2021

Strength and Durability of Polystyrene Concrete

Ankur Arun Kulkarni
Abstract: Now a day the construction is having rapid pace, and Recycling and safe disposal of polystyrene waste within the
it has increased the requirement of raw material of construction framework of national and international environmental
especially coarse aggregate. In order to conserve the natural regulations is expensive and requires lot of energy and
resources, use of plastic waste as partial replacement of natural produces hazardous gases. The large quantity of plastic
aggregate in production of concrete will be a right step. This
materials, polyethene, plastic bottles are deposited in
research paper discusses about the study and experimental work
of “Polystyrene Concrete”, comprising of polystyrene waste household waste and in landfill; this is also causing major
shredded aggregates. Polystyrene concrete is a type of concrete, environmental threat. Thus, using polystyrene waste in
produced from a mixture of cement, sand and expanded manufacturing of concrete not only results in economy but
polystyrene aggregate (EPS or UEPS aggregates). Thermoplastic helps in conservation of natural resources and reduces
polymeric material which is in the beginning in the solid form burden of disposal of polystyrene waste. Within last few
(UEPS) and it can be expanded by the use of steam and an years‟ construction industry is looking forward for
expansive agent is called as Polystyrene. The polystyrene waste application of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in various
shredded to size of coarse and fine aggregate is used to replace construction activities. Due to light weight, good thermal
40% of natural aggregates. Nine trial mixes with varying
insulation properties EPS is widely accepted as insulation
proportion of these three types of polystyrene waste shredded
aggregates and water-cement ratio are used. The workability of material. Generally, EPS comprises of tiny polystyrene
the fresh concrete mix as well as compressive strength of beads obtained through polymerization process. After
concrete at 28 days was obtained. This study has revealed that the completion of the polymerization, expanding agent such as
polystyrene waste can be effectively used for production of pentane and hexane are used for infusion in EPS. Beads are
resilient light weight concrete. The polystyrene concrete is best molded during the expansion process. Then, the beads are
suited material for non-load bearing resilient concrete structures stabilized pre-expanded and re-exposed to steam in order to
such as partition walls and facades. obtain binding between the beads. According to Doroudiani
Key words: polystyrene, concrete, light-weight, resilience, and Omidian[01], the foam in EPS consists of small
recycled plastic, conservation, impact spherical-shaped particles containing about 98% air in the
form of lightweight cellular plastic. Figure 01, shows the
I. INTRODUCTION: three common forms of the EPS.
Due to rapid urbanization, the construction is
having highest speed, and concrete comprises major portion
of materials used. Thus, the raw material required for
manufacturing of concrete, especially coarse and fine
aggregate are in a great demand. While considering various
options of partial replacement of natural aggregates, plastic
is an ideal choice as plastic material have become an
inseparable and integral part of our daily life. Due to
different characteristics such as low density, strength, user-
friendly designs, fabrication capabilities, long life, light
weight, and low cost the adaptability of plastic has shown
phenomenal growth. Plastics are used in enormous areas
starting from packaging, automotive and industrial
applications, medical delivery systems, to housing,
communication materials, security systems, and other uses.
Due to such a wide and varying applications, plastic is
contributing to an ever-increasing volume in the solid waste.
From point of view of conservation of natural resources, use
of aggregate made up of recycled plastic will reduce use of
natural aggregates, utilization of solid waste and results in
energy saving. Thus, extensive study is carried out to
ascertain the effects of use of aggregate made up of recycled
plastic on strength and stiffness of concrete. In India now a
day‟s solid waste management is a major environmental
concern. All over the world every day millions of tons of
polystyrene waste are produced, which is a great threat to
the environmental balance.

Manuscript received on January 14, 2021.

Revised Manuscript received on January 18, 2021.
Manuscript published on January 30, 2021.
Ankur Arun Kulkarni, Formerly, Protective Technology Research
Centre, NTU- Singapore Professor in Civil Engineering, SAGE University,
Indore; India

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 Strength and Durability of Polystyrene Concrete

a) Molded foam b) EPS Resins c) Expanded beads

Figure 01: Different forms of EPS

polystyrene concrete as a partition wall or insulating barrier.

II. USE OF POLYSTYRENE IN CONCRETE:
Recently Kulkarni[08], presented study regarding strength
The study conducted by Zoorob and Suparma[01] and stiffness of concrete using recycled concrete waste. All
showed that major consumer of plastic is packaging industry this research work highlighted various advantages of using
(41%) and construction industry (20%). Other users of polystyrene in concrete such as;
plastic are large industries (15%), automobile sector (7%), ● Good electrical and thermal insulation properties,
agriculture (6%)[02]. The properties of concrete comprising ● Durability and longevity,
of polystyrene (PS) aggregate as partial replacement of ● Ability to get combined with other materials like
natural coarse aggregate was studied by Sabaa and adhesives, papers and aluminum foil,
Ravindrarajah[03] and they found that the density, ● Good resistance to chemicals, water and impact
compressive strength and modulus of elasticity decreases as ● Lighter weight than other similar materials
the quantity of polystyrene waste shredded aggregates in ● Relatively economical in production cost
concrete increases, while creep and drying shrinkage
increases along with increasing quantity of polystyrene III. EXPERIMENTAL WORK:
waste shredded aggregates in the concrete. Babu and
Babu[04] showed that in lightweight expanded polystyrene The basic objective of the experimental work carried out; is
concrete containing silica fume, along with the increase in to compare characteristics of concrete with and without
quantity of silica fume the strength and absorption capacity polystyrene as aggregates. The preliminary tests are
of concrete reduces. Use of expanded polystyrene beads in conducted on ingredient materials and control concrete mix
concrete was studied by Babu et al[05]. They showed that is designed.
the failure of concrete is gradual due to presence of 3.1 Materials used
polystyrene beads. The research work of Miled et al[06] Cement of Grade 53 is used for laboratory testing. The basic
showed that the compressive strength of concrete increases tests are conducted on cement and following properties are
as the size of polystyrene beads reduces. Hafizah et al[07] obtained;
explored resilient behavior and possibility of using
Table 01: Properties of cement used
Sr. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Property Normal Initial Final Fineness Cube compressive strength
consistency setting setting
time time 3 days 7 days 28 days
2 2
Value 35% 51 min. 230 min. 4.6% 28 N/m 43 N/m 55 N/m2
The properties of aggregates used for laboratory experiments are tested as per the procedure laid down in IS 383: 2016.
Local sand passing through 4.75 mm IS sieve is cleaned and washed and is used as fine aggregates. The basic tests are
conducted on fine aggregates and following properties are obtained;
Table 02: Properties of fine aggregates used
Sr. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Property Type Maximum Specific Water Grading Fineness
size gravity absorption zone modulus

Value Natural 4.75 mm 2.67 1.06% III 2.52

The crushed aggregates from the local quarry is used as coarse aggregates. These aggregates are cleaned and washed before
testing. The aggregates of maximum size 40 mm are used and the basic tests are conducted on the natural coarse aggregates
and following properties are obtained;

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 Strength and Durability of Polystyrene Concrete

Table 03: Properties of natural coarse aggregates used

Sr. No. 1 2 3 4 5
Property Type Maximum Specific Water Fineness
size gravity absorption modulus
Value Natural 20 mm 2.85 3.72% 7.74
For casting of polystyrene concrete recycled plastic is used as a partial replacement of fine and coarse aggregates. The
recycled plastic [Figure 02(a)] flakes are crushed and segregated into fine and coarse plastic aggregates as shown in Figure
02(b) and (c).

a) Flakes of recycled plastic b) Fine plastic aggregates c) Coarse plastic aggregates

Figure 02: Details of plastic aggregates used in polystyrene concrete
The fine plastic aggregates of maximum size 4.75 mm and coarse plastic aggregates of maximum size 40 mm are used and
the basic tests, like sieve analysis as per IS 383:2016, specific gravity, packing density, fineness modulus are conducted and
following properties are obtained;
Table 04: Properties of plastic aggregates used
Sr. No. 1 2 3 4 5
Property Type Maximum Specific Combination for Fineness
size gravity optimum packing modulus
density
Value Fine plastic aggregates 4.75 mm 0.97 40% 7.43
Coarse plastic aggregates 20 mm 60% 9.14
Packing density of aggregates is worked out using following relation;
Volume of plastic aggregates
Packing density =
Volume of equivalent water ...eq. (01)

Various combinations of fine and coarse plastic aggregates

are tried to obtain optimum packing density and it was
observed that 40% - 60% combination has given highest
value of packing density (i.e. 0.568). In order to obtain the
highest value of the packing density, the coarse and fine
plastic aggregates are mixed in different proportions. Using
eq. (01) corresponding packing density is obtained. It is
observed that up to certain level, as the quantity of coarse
aggregate decreases and fine aggregate increases the value
of packing density increases and after reaching to optimum
value further reduction of quantity of coarse aggregate
results in reduction of packing density. Corresponding to
variation of coarse and fine aggregates % the variation of Figure 03: Variation of packing density along with
packing density is shown in Figure 03, below. Normal coarse & fine plastic aggregates
potable tap water is used for casting of the concrete cubes. 3.2 Concrete mixing proportions:

Control concrete mix is used as per the guidelines stipulated

in IS 10262:2009. Using the value of specific gravity of
plastic aggregates, the quantity of plastic aggregates is
worked out. The water cement ratio is varied between the
range of 0.45 to 0.52.

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 Strength and Durability of Polystyrene Concrete

The specific gravity of the plastic is worked out and is used This staged mixing method ensures good workability and
to obtain the quantity of plastic. After numerous trials a homogeneousness of polystyrene concrete. Corresponding
mixing method similar to “sand coating” method is adopted to each combination of ingredients, set of 06 cubes are
for mixing of the polystyrene concrete. As the EPS particles casted and each set of three cubes is tested after 7 and 28
needs to be coated properly for homogeneity of the concrete days respectively. The trial mix proportions of each set of
mix, first one minute they are mixed with cement slurry. three cubes i.e. total 54 cubes are casted and tested in
After that natural sand and aggregates are added and the laboratory. The details of casting of cubes and testing are
whole mix is mixed thoroughly for 03 minutes in mixer. shown in Figure 04.

a) Casting of cubes b) Compression testing of cubes

Figure 04: Details of casting and testing of cubes in laboratory
3.3 Various test conducted
To obtain various important properties following b) Compressive strength: Cubes of polystyrene concrete of
various tests are conducted on fresh as well as cured 150 mm size are casted for studying the compressive
concrete; strength of concrete. Post curing for 28 days the cubes
are tested. Water cement ratio is one of the decisive
a) Workability: Initially using compaction factor method,
factors which governs the compressive strength of the
workability of fresh concrete with and without
concrete. The compressive strength reduces with higher
polystyrene aggregate is carried out. The variation of
value of water cement ratio, thus the optimum value of
compact factor along with water cement ratio for both
water cement ratio 0.49 is adopted for casting of
ordinary concrete and polystyrene concrete is shown in
concrete.
Figure 05. It is observed from the graph that
compaction factor increases along with water cement c) Impact resistance: For testing the durability, cubes of
ratio up to 0.49, and then further increase in water polystyrene concrete cyclic loading are applied using a
cement ratio causes reduction in compaction factor. standard hammer. Bayasi and Zeng[09], showed that
Thus, it is decided to adopt 0.49 as water cement ratio the use of polypropylene plastic fibres improves
for laboratory testing of concrete. considerably impact resistance of concrete. Suroushian
et al[10], studied durability of concrete comprising
recycled plastic using standard hammer and observed
increase in impact resistance in concrete as compared to
ordinary concrete.
In the experimental work described in this paper a
standard hammer of weight 13.60 kg (30 pounds) is
dropped from a height of 380 mm (15 inches). The
number of blows required for formation of first visible
crack and corresponding to failure are noted as in Table
05. Due to presence of EPS in the form of aggregates,
the impact resistance of polystyrene concrete improves
significantly.

Figure 05: Variation of compaction factor along with

water cement ratio

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 Strength and Durability of Polystyrene Concrete

Table 05: Drop weight test results (number of blows required)

Specimen ID CP-00 CP-05 CP-10 CP-15 CP-20 CP-25 CP-30 CP-35 CP-40
First Crack 77 80 88 94 101 107 111 118 126
Failure 82 85 92 100 114 132 141 145 151
Table 06: Details of ingredients of concrete mix, proportion and laboratory results, using water cement ratio 0.49
Mix ID of Cement Fine Coarse Polystyrene Polystyrene Ave 28 days Mass Density
set of 6 kg/m3 aggregates aggregates quantity Volume Comp. strength kg/m3
cubes kg/m3 kg/m3 (kg/m3) (m3) (MPa)
CP-00 400 820 980 -- 0.00 43.25 2390

CP-05 400 830 928 22.0 0.18 40.85 2175

CP-10 400 802 923 44.0 0.36 34.12 2079

CP-15 400 786 908 66.0 0.54 30.95 2001

CP-20 400 780 898 88.0 0.72 26.80 1895

CP-25 400 767 881 110.0 0.90 21.26 1791

CP-30 400 750 879 132.0 1.08 16.84 1683

CP-35 400 748 876 154.0 1.26 13.09 1602

CP-40 400 700 870 176.0 1.44 09.46 1558

IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

The research work presented in this paper is carried
out with the objective of verifying the feasibility of using
recycled plastic waste in the form of EPS. Ordinary Portland
cement of grade 53, local natural sand and aggregates and
potable water is used for concreting. After studying
variation in packing density, the coarse and fine particles of
plastic waste in the form of EPS in proportion of 40:60 is
used. Using analysis of variation in packing density and
workability using compaction factor test, along with particle
size water cement ratio 0.49 is adopted for laboratory work.
Total 54 cubes using different proportion of natural
aggregates and polystyrene particles for same water cement
Figure 06: Variation in compressive strength of concrete
ratio are casted. The cubes are tested for 7 and 28 days. The
along with volume of polystyrene
quantity of ingredients used for each set of 06 cubes is
tabulated in Table 06. Three cubes are tested after 7 days
curing and remaining three cubes are tested after 28 days
curing. The variation of compressive strength of concrete
along with variation in volume of polystyrene is observed
and represented graphically in Figure 06. From this graph it
is clearly indicated that as the quantity of polystyrene
increases in concrete, the strength reduces. Similarly, it is
also observed that as the quantity of polystyrene increases in
concrete, the mass density of concrete reduces as detailed in
Figure 07. For testing impact resistance of polystyrene
concrete, the 28 days cubes are tested for drop load test. The
results shown in Table 05 clearly indicates that due to
presence of polystyrene in concrete, the impact resistance
gets enhanced considerably.

Figure 07: Variation in mass density of concrete along

with volume of polystyrene

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 Strength and Durability of Polystyrene Concrete

V. CONCLUSION: 6. Miled, K., Sab K. and Le Roy R., “Particle size effect on compressive
strength of EPS lightweight concrete: Experimental investigation and
The research work presented in this paper intends modelling”, Mechanics of Materials, Vol. 39, pp. 222-240, 2007.
to find out the effective way of using recycled plastic waste 7. Hafizah, R. S., Aisyah, S. M., and Muhammad K. A. R., “Application
of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in buildings and constructions: A
particles as a partial replacement to natural aggregates. This review”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 136, pp. 1-11,
study highlights the effective utilization of plastic waste as a 2019.
partial replacement of natural aggregates. This leads to 8. Kulkarni, A, “Strength and stiffness of recycled concrete aggregates”,
conservation of natural resources as well as constructive International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring
Engineering, Vol. 9(03), 2020.
utilization of environmental hazardous waste i.e. plastic. 9. Bayasi, Z., and Zeng, J., “Properties of polypropylene fiber reinforced
But due to introduction of plastic waste in concrete the concrete”, ACI Materials Journal, Vol. 90 (6), pp. 605–610, 1993.
strength and mass density of concrete reduces thus limited 10. Soroushian, P., Mirza, F., and Alhozaimy, A., “Permeability
use of plastic in polystyrene concrete is advisable. Within characteristics of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete”, ACI
Materials Journal, Vol. 92 (3), pp. 291–295, 1995.
the range of 5 to 20 % the replacement of natural aggregate
by polystyrene the reduction of strength does not affect AUTHOR PROFILE
fitness. But beyond 20 % replacement of natural aggregate
by polystyrene results in high reduction in strength and Prof. (Dr). Ankur Arun Kulkarni, Professor in
affects usability of concrete. Civil Engg& Vice chancellor, SAGE University,
Indore (India)
Following conclusions can be drawn from the study Area of Expertise: Leadership, Personality
presented in this research paper; Development Protective Structures, Education
1. Polystyrene can be used to replace partially the natural Policy.
aggregates. The reduction of mass density of • Recipient of Research Scholarship of
NTU Singapore
polystyrene concrete makes it suitable for applications • Researcher working in the area of Protective Structures (Structures
as non-load bearing light weight concrete such as designed for resisting blast/ explosion pressures)
partitions, panels, exterior facades etc. • PhD Civil-Structures from NTU, Singapore (worlds 13 th Ranked
2. Polystyrene concrete is having high resistance to impact University)
• 32 years‟ academic experience
and high value of ductility, resulting higher deformation • Author of 04 Engineering books
before failure. This property makes polystyrene • Published 18 Journal and 24 Conference papers
concrete suitable for use where there is a large variation • Five students have completed PhD under him.
of temperature. • Worked on Ministry of Defense- Singapore funded research project
from 2001 to 2004 at „Protective Technology Research Center,
3. Polystyrene concrete can be used with partial Singapore‟.
replacement of natural aggregate up to 20% • Participated in field explosion tests in Australia at Woomera.
4. As the failure of polystyrene concrete occurs mainly • Area of research- Protective Structures & Structural Dynamics.
due to debonding of cement paste and plastic particles; • Recipient of
 „Promising Engineer Award‟ of Institution of Engineers,
thus, water cement ratio plays secondary role in  „Ideal Teachers Award‟ of Lions Club, and
imparting strength to polystyrene concrete.  „Eminent Educationist Award‟ of NIC- India
5. For the same water cement ratio, the addition of more
plastic in polystyrene concrete results in reduction of
mass density, compressive strength and increase in
impact resistance.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The author declares no conflicts of interest.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
The experimental work described here was supported by
Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune

REFERENCES:
1. Doroudiani, S. and Omidian, H., “Environmental, health and safety
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2010
2. Zoorob, S.E., and Suparma, L.B., “Laboratory design and
investigation of the properties of continuously graded asphaltic
concrete containing recycled plastics aggregate replacement”,
Cement and Concrete Composites, Vol. 22, pp. 233-242, 2000.
3. Sabaa, B., and Ravindrarajah, R. S., “Engineering properties of
lightweight concrete containing crushed expanded polystyrene
waste”, Materials research society, fall meeting, Boston, USA, 1997.
4. Babu, K.G. and Babu, D.S., “Behavior of lightweight expanded
polystyrene concrete containing silica fume”, Cement and Concrete
Research, Vol. 33, pp. 755-762, 2003.
5. Babu, K.G., Babu D.S. and Wee, T.H., “Properties of lightweight
expanded polystyrene aggregate concretes containing fly ash”,
Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 35, pp. 1218-1223, 2005.

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