A novel building material called polystyrene concrete is made by mixing cement with polystyrene beads to produce strong, lightweight blocks. This special combination has several advantages that make it a desirable option for contemporary building projects. But, it also has disadvantages that should be taken into account before choosing, just like any other material.
The superior thermal insulation of polystyrene concrete blocks is one of its key benefits. These blocks are perfect for energy-efficient buildings because of the substantial resistance to heat transfer provided by the polystyrene beads embedded in the concrete. This may result in cheaper heating and cooling expenses, which would make the construction solution more affordable and environmentally friendly.
The lightweight nature of polystyrene concrete blocks is an additional advantage. They are far simpler to handle and move than conventional concrete blocks. This can lessen the overall load on the building’s foundation, cut down on labor expenses and construction time, and possibly open the door to more creative architectural designs.
Notwithstanding these benefits, there are a few drawbacks to take into account. It’s possible that polystyrene concrete blocks don’t provide as much structural strength as regular concrete blocks. This restriction may limit their applicability for some construction projects, especially in locations with severe weather or high load-bearing requirements.
Furthermore, some people are concerned about how polystyrene will affect the environment. The creation and disposal of polystyrene can have detrimental effects on the environment, despite the fact that the blocks themselves are strong and long-lasting. Developers and builders must balance the advantages of employing this material with these environmental concerns.
In conclusion, polystyrene concrete blocks have certain drawbacks with regard to environmental impact and structural strength, but they also have a number of benefits, such as superior thermal insulation and ease of handling. Making an informed decision in construction projects requires an understanding of these benefits and drawbacks.
| Advantages of Polystyrene Concrete Blocks | Disadvantages of Polystyrene Concrete Blocks |
| Lightweight and easy to handle | Lower compressive strength compared to traditional concrete |
| Good thermal and sound insulation | Can be more expensive than standard concrete blocks |
| Resistant to moisture and pests | Limited availability in some regions |
Polystyrene concrete blocks are an intriguing option for contemporary building because they provide a special combination of advantages and disadvantages. They can expedite the building process and lower labor costs because they are lightweight, offer superior thermal insulation, and are simple to handle. However, there are drawbacks as well, like reduced structural strength when compared to conventional concrete, possible environmental issues because polystyrene is used, and occasionally higher costs. Having a clear understanding of these benefits and drawbacks enables homeowners and builders to choose polystyrene concrete blocks wisely for their projects.
- What is included in the polystyrene concrete block
- Advantages of polystyrene concrete blocks
- Thermal conductivity
- Strength
- Vapor permeability
- Convenience of processing
- Disadvantages of polystyrene concrete
- Controversial moments
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What is included in the polystyrene concrete block
Lightweight polystyrene foam granules (PVG) with a diameter of up to 20 mm are used to fill polystyrene concrete. Depending on the operating environment, the porous, dense, or large-porous structure of these components varies.
The composition also contains water, Portland cement (or slag Portland cement), and quartz sand.
Moreover, polystyrene concrete requires the addition of plasticizers, hardening accelerators, air-entraining additives, and other elements. Special foam is added to the mixture to create expanded polystyrene concrete, which not only lightens the material but also gives it better thermal insulation and frost resistance.
Practical! Though it differs from cellular concrete in most aspects, polystyrene concrete shares many traits with them. The same holds true for PSB sizes, which have to adhere to GOST 21520-89 specifications.
It would be reasonable to begin by discussing the benefits of polystyrene concrete blocks before delving into its drawbacks.
Advantages of polystyrene concrete blocks
The following are advantages of modern building materials:
Thermal conductivity
Because polystyrene concrete has a lower thermal conductivity coefficient (between 0.055-0.145 W / m Co) than other types of concrete, it doesn’t need extra insulation. Furthermore, when the density of the raw material rises, so does the degree of heat conservation. As a result, the degree of energy conservation will increase with the density of the building blocks.
Strength
Compression strength (0.73-3.6 MPa) and tensile strength under bending (0.08-0.73 MPa) are two strong attributes of lightweight concrete. PSB falls into the strength class of B 0.5 to B 2.5. This gives us the confidence to state that polystyrene concrete is resistant to plasticity and shrinkage (no more than 1.0 mm/m). This means that the material can be utilized to build monolithic walls.
Practical! These kind of blocks can be used to build homes with up to three stories.
Vapor permeability
PSB have good vapor permeability, or the capacity to "breathe," but the material’s density affects this indicator. An indicator of 0.068 mg / m h PA is "given out" by the densest composition D600, and 0.135 mg / m h PA by the lowest grade D150. However, even at the minimum value, polystyrene concrete has a higher level of vapor permeability than wood.
Convenience of processing
PSB features precise geometry and large sizes (1 block will calmly replace 17 bricks). Owing to the final benefit, the seam’s pantry is roughly 3-5 mm thick.
Using a hacksaw, you can easily cut the material. The blocks weigh very little, so one person can do all the work. You won’t need to use pricey construction equipment if you choose to build a small, one-story house independently from PSB in three to four days. Additionally, since there won’t be any heavy loads, you can save money on the foundation.
It’s also important to note the following other benefits of polystyrene concrete blocks:
- PSB has very low moisture permeability (water absorption is no more than 4%), due to which, when building a house, you do not have to worry about waterproofing.
- With a density of 200 kg/m3, the blocks have frost resistance ratings of F 25 – F 100 (with 100-150 freeze/thaw cycles).
- With a material thickness of 10 cm, the sound absorption level will reach 37 dB.
- Resistance to mold and rot.
Disadvantages of polystyrene concrete
When selecting polystyrene concrete (PSB) as a building material, one should consider its drawbacks despite its many benefits:
- When making PSB yourself, you should only use high-quality material, otherwise, microcracks may form in the blocks. To avoid such consequences, it is recommended to add reinforcing fiber to the solution.
- The inner surface of the walls must be covered with plaster. But, it is worth considering that polystyrene concrete does not “stick” well to plaster compositions, so the walls must be pre-prepared.
- Screws, self-tapping screws and nails are almost impossible to use for internal fastening. To hang a light cabinet or shelf, you must either buy special fasteners (as for aerated concrete), or concrete holes for metizes or use liquid anchors.
The strength of the buildings is unaffected by any of these "tricks," but they all incur additional financial expenses.
Furthermore, polystyrene concrete has a number of qualities that aren’t always related to advantages or disadvantages.
Controversial moments
All manufacturers start by taking into consideration the material’s 100-year service life. But despite their century-long history, they typically only take into account the PSB’s Frost resistance indicators, ignoring the polystyrene’s inherent properties. Like any other polymer, PVG ages, degrades, and turns into gas. Things are slightly better in the case of polystyrene concrete because the concrete mass protects the granules inside the blocks, but this does not mean that the material will not deteriorate over time.
Practical! The "aging" rate of foamed polymers is twice that of monolithic polymers.
The flammability of PSB is the subject of the following debate. Polystyrene concrete, on the one hand, is low flammable and falls under group G1. Conversely, when heated, foam plastic balls rapidly lose their strength. Additionally, phenol, which is harmful to human health, will start to evaporate from PSB after it has been in a fire for a while, and the PVG will melt very quickly. After that, a polystyrene concrete wall will resemble Swiss cheese.
The PSB’s density is another contentious issue. Given that polystyrene concrete’s bulk density varies from 150 to 600 kg/m3, it is imperative to select a specific class based on the nature of the project.
Select a denser material for a wall where a window, for example, may eventually be installed because if you choose a low-density material, you might find that it starts to "walk."
Because of their special set of advantages, polystyrene concrete blocks are a popular option for construction projects. Because of their notable light weight, these blocks make construction easier and require less labor. Their superior thermal insulation qualities can dramatically increase a building’s energy efficiency, resulting in lower costs for heating and cooling. Furthermore, polystyrene concrete blocks are pest and moisture resistant, guaranteeing minimal maintenance and long-term durability.
Notwithstanding these benefits, there are a few disadvantages to take into account. The principal issue pertains to the diminished structural potency in contrast to conventional concrete blocks. They might not be appropriate for all kinds of construction, especially in load-bearing applications, due to this limitation. The impact on the environment is another problem. Although recycled materials are included in the construction of polystyrene concrete blocks, the manufacture and disposal of polystyrene can present environmental problems.
The choice to use polystyrene concrete blocks ultimately comes down to the particular requirements of the project. These blocks can be a great option for non-load-bearing walls, insulation, or situations where lightweight materials are advantageous. However, other materials might be more appropriate for projects that call for a higher level of structural integrity. Making the proper material selection for each distinct building situation will be made easier by weighing the benefits and drawbacks.
