Polystyrene concrete: characteristics and scope of application

A flexible building material that is becoming more and more well-liked in the construction sector is polystyrene concrete. It is well-known for being lightweight and having superior thermal insulation, which makes it a great option for a variety of applications. Polystyrene concrete has a special set of benefits, regardless of whether you’re trying to construct energy-efficient homes or need a soundproofing solution.

The lightweight expanded polystyrene beads, which help lower the concrete’s overall density, are mixed with cement to create this kind of concrete. The end product is a material that provides superior insulation and is lighter than conventional concrete. Because of this, it is especially helpful in areas where controlling the temperature is crucial.

Polystyrene concrete has advantages over heat, but it’s also simple to work with. Because of its lightweight design, it’s simpler to handle and transport, which can cut down on labor expenses and site time. Furthermore, because of its insulating qualities, it can eventually result in lower heating and cooling costs, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

What is polystyrene concrete

As was previously mentioned, polystyrene concrete is a relatively new material that has managed to garner a great deal of popularity despite only recently entering the market. The main cause of this is its excellent thermal performance. Let’s investigate more closely.

Composition and main properties

Water, sand, cement, specialty additives, and polystyrene granules, which substitute large filler, are the ingredients of polystyrene concrete, a type of lightweight concrete.

Products with a low thermal conductivity coefficient and enhanced strength are the end products of production. Furthermore, as many people are aware, construction companies particularly value this kind of ratio.

Due to its low weight, polystyrene concrete greatly lessens the load on the foundation and contributes to building cost savings. Let’s use the table to analyze the material’s properties.

Technical features, practical applications, and operational attributes of polystyrene concrete:

Kindly take note! It is important to remember that in this instance, the product density will likewise be lower. Because of this, polystyrene concrete can generally claim such impressive indicators.

Note: Upon agreement with the customer, it is possible to manufacture custom sizes in addition to the standard ones. Although there are several manufacturers to choose from, polystyrene concrete is still not as good as many other wall materials in this regard. This is particularly valid for aerated concrete and foam.

Based on the aforementioned information, we can infer that polystyrene concrete is a strong competitor for a variety of materials used to construct walls and other building structures.

Overview of some types of material and their scope of application

It will now be pertinent to take a look at a few material classifications. After all, polystyrene concrete is the raw material used to make a variety of products besides just blocks.

Division is based on several factors, including:

• density;
• scope of application;
• purpose – polystyrene concrete can be intended for prefabricated or monolithic structures.

Polystyrene concrete is separated into two categories based on the average density indicator:

• Thermal insulation with low density and thermal conductivity. It is used exclusively as a heat-insulating material, since the loads on such products are simply unacceptable.
• Thermal insulation and structural polystyrene concrete is characterized by a density of 300-400 kg/m3. Such products are used, in addition to thermal insulation, in low-rise construction when erecting structures that will not be subject to serious loads.
• The structural and heat-insulating version of the material has an average density of up to 550 kg/m3. It is used in low-rise construction.

In terms of functionality, it also forms the foundation for grouping items composed of polystyrene concrete.

Consequently, goods can be made in the following forms:

1. Ordinary ordinary wall blocks. They require subsequent finishing and are used in the construction of walls, insulation, etc.

1. Wall blocks with cladding, textured on the front side. Such products do not require finishing from the side of the building facade.

1. Ventilation blocks. These are highly specialized products that already have ready-made holes for wiring communications.
2. Wall panels. They can be used in the installation of partitions.

1. Lintels. Used when covering door and window openings. Have reinforcement.

Kindly take note! When building monolithic structures, liquid polystyrene concrete is also utilized. For instance, it’s common to use screed when pouring the base for a heated floor. In addition to offering superior thermal insulation, the material’s low weight prevents it from bearing a heavy load.

Advantages and disadvantages of the material and products made from it

Given that we are already familiar with the features of polystyrene concrete, let’s review its primary benefits and drawbacks.

Let’s begin with the positives:

1. Extremely low thermal conductivity coefficient, counting from the indicator of 0.05 W * mC. This is compensated, of course, by low density, however, as a thermal insulation material, it is at a height.
2. Sufficient density of structural and thermal insulation products for their use in the construction of low-rise buildings of one or two floors.
3. Compressive and bending strength indicator.
4. High frost resistance values.
5. Environmental friendliness and fire resistance of the material.
6. Wide range of applications and variety of shapes and sizes of products.
7. Ease of production, possibility of self-production.
8. Soundproofing ability.
9. Low cost of products;
10. Ease of processing and solid dimensions, significantly accelerating and simplifying the construction process.
11. Low weight of the material helps to reduce the load applied by the walls to the foundation of the building.
12. Possibility of saving on insulation of the building and, subsequently, on heating.
13. Variability of external cladding and internal finishing.
14. Resistance to biological effects is also a noticeable plus. Mold and fungus do not form on the products.

The following are some of the material’s drawbacks:

1. Features inherent in the material suggest the use of specialized hardware. This is typical for almost all products made of lightweight concrete. Planning the fastening of heavy objects is mandatory.
2. The need to design ventilation systems.
3. Small, but still hygroscopic.
4. The presence of handicraft production.
5. Shrinkage of the material.
6. Insufficient strength in comparison with many wall products.
7. Additional costs for increasing the level of adhesion with building materials.
8. Despite the indication that polystyrene concrete does not burn, it cannot withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures. As a consequence, the main qualities are lost or reduced. First of all, this concerns the strength and service life.
9. The need to plaster the material.
10. It is not recommended to carry out finishing earlier than 28 days after laying.

Expanded polystyrene beads are mixed with cement to create polystyrene concrete, a lightweight, adaptable building material with superior soundproofing and thermal insulation qualities. It is becoming more and more popular in construction projects, both residential and commercial, because it is simple to use and offers a long-lasting, energy-efficient solution. This creative concrete is especially well-liked for producing lightweight panels, blocks, and floor screeds, which makes it a great option for projects where insulation and weight reduction are important factors.

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Comparison of polystyrene concrete with the main competing materials

Let’s now examine how polystyrene concrete compares to other building materials that are commonly used by developers.

Concrete blocks made of polystyrene: features of the product and how they differ from other wall products

Essentially, as the table illustrates, polystyrene concrete’s primary benefits are its inexpensive cost and excellent temperature stability.

The primary benefits of polystyrene concrete over alternative materials are discussed in the video that is included in this article.

A novel material known as polystyrene concrete combines the strength of conventional concrete with the advantages of lightweight polystyrene beads. This special blend provides superior thermal insulation, which makes it the perfect option for projects that prioritize energy efficiency. Additionally, because it is lightweight, handling and transportation are made easier and the load on structures is lessened.

Polystyrene concrete can be used in a variety of ways due to its adaptability. It is frequently utilized in the construction of roofs, floors, and walls, particularly in places where weight reduction and insulation are essential. Its ability to block out sound also makes it a well-liked option for acoustic insulation in buildings.

In general, polystyrene concrete is a useful and environmentally responsible choice for contemporary building projects. In today’s building industry, it is a valuable material due to its ability to reduce environmental impact and improve energy efficiency. Polystyrene concrete is a flexible material that can be used to retrofit an existing structure or build a new one, providing an eco-friendly solution that balances performance and sustainability.

Video on the topic

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