TY - JOUR
T1 - Durability of expanded polystyrene mortars
AU - Ferrándiz-Mas, V.
AU - García-Alcocel, E.
PY - 2013/9
Y1 - 2013/9
N2 - The influence of the addition of various types and various concentrations of expanded polystyrene foam (both commercial and recycled) on the durability of Portland cement mortars is studied. In particular, the microstructure is studied utilizing the following methods: capillary absorption of water, mercury intrusion porosimetry, impedance spectroscopy and open porosity. In addition, the effects of heat cycles and freeze-thaw cycles on compressive strength are examined. Scanning electron microscopy is used as a complementary technique. An air-entraining agent, water retainer additive and superplasticizer additive are used to improve the workability of mortars. The results show that the presence of expanded polystyrene in mortar results in a decrease in the capillary absorption coefficient. The mercury intrusion porosimetry technique and the equivalent circuits previously used by researchers to interpret impedance spectra of ordinary cementitious materials were found to be inadequate for interpreting the microstructure of mortars with expanded polystyrene. This is due to the polymeric nature as well as the internal porous structure of expanded polystyrene. A slight increase of compressive strength is observed in mortars with expanded polystyrene subjected to heat cycles. The compressive strength of mortars subjected to freeze-thaw cycles likely improves because expanded polystyrene particles absorb part of the pressure of ice crystallization. It is concluded that the durability of mortars improve with the presence of expanded polystyrene, making them viable for more sustainable usage in masonry, stucco and plaster mortars.
AB - The influence of the addition of various types and various concentrations of expanded polystyrene foam (both commercial and recycled) on the durability of Portland cement mortars is studied. In particular, the microstructure is studied utilizing the following methods: capillary absorption of water, mercury intrusion porosimetry, impedance spectroscopy and open porosity. In addition, the effects of heat cycles and freeze-thaw cycles on compressive strength are examined. Scanning electron microscopy is used as a complementary technique. An air-entraining agent, water retainer additive and superplasticizer additive are used to improve the workability of mortars. The results show that the presence of expanded polystyrene in mortar results in a decrease in the capillary absorption coefficient. The mercury intrusion porosimetry technique and the equivalent circuits previously used by researchers to interpret impedance spectra of ordinary cementitious materials were found to be inadequate for interpreting the microstructure of mortars with expanded polystyrene. This is due to the polymeric nature as well as the internal porous structure of expanded polystyrene. A slight increase of compressive strength is observed in mortars with expanded polystyrene subjected to heat cycles. The compressive strength of mortars subjected to freeze-thaw cycles likely improves because expanded polystyrene particles absorb part of the pressure of ice crystallization. It is concluded that the durability of mortars improve with the presence of expanded polystyrene, making them viable for more sustainable usage in masonry, stucco and plaster mortars.
KW - Compression testing
KW - Durability
KW - Expanded polystyrene (EPS)
KW - Microstructure
KW - Mortar
KW - Porosity
KW - Portland cement
KW - Waste
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878250100&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.04.029
U2 - 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.04.029
DO - 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.04.029
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84878250100
SN - 0950-0618
VL - 46
SP - 175
EP - 182
JO - Construction and Building Materials
JF - Construction and Building Materials
ER -