High content Styrofoam as partial substitution for fine aggregate in SCC lightweight concrete brick

Abstract

The development of construction technology has led to the improvement of construction material. Therefore, it will be beneficial if the invention of new materials can answer some problems in the same time. For example, the production of Styrofoam lightweight concrete block to produce lightweight construction material will also provide solution in handling waste problem in the same time. The present study is designed to determine the optimum variation of high content Styrofoam as partial substitution for fine aggregate in producing Styrofoam concrete brick. The results were tested according to Indonesia standard for concrete brick and Styrofoam variation was designed as 60%, 70% and 80%. To mix Styrofoam with the mortar, Self-Compacting Concrete method was used with w/c ratio of 0.5. Testing of mechanical properties included slump flow test, density, compressive strength and effect of aggressive environment on concrete strength. Aggressive environment was established by immersing concrete specimen into 5% magnesium sulphate solution (MgSO4) for 28 days. The result shows the more the content of Styrofoam, the lower the compressive strength. In addition, only variation of 60% Styrofoam with the compressive strength of 39.20 kg/cm2 that meets the minimum strength requirement as concrete brick wall (25 kg/cm2). Moreover, the aggressive environment reduces compressive strength up to 13%.