Mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene lightweight aggregate concrete and brick

In this study, mix proportion parameters of expanded polystyrene (EPS) lightweight aggregate concrete are analyzed by using Taguchi’s approach. The density, compressive strength and stress–strain behavior were tested. The optimal mixture of EPS lightweight aggregate concrete was selected among experiments under consideration to manufacture the lightweight hollow bricks. The results show that EPS dosage has the most significant effect on compressive strength of EPS lightweight aggregate concrete, then water and cement ratio, while the content of cement and sand ratio play a comparatively less important part. The relationship between density and compressive strength of EPS lightweight aggregate concrete is proposed as fc = 2.43 × γ2.997 × 10−9. The legitimacy of the use of EPS lightweight bricks made by EPS lightweight aggregate concrete is confirmed.

► Mix proportion parameters of EPS concrete are analyzed by Taguchi’s approach.
► EPS dosage has the most significant effect on compressive strength.
► The compressive strength of EPS concrete is decreasing as the density decreases.
► EPS lightweight hollow bricks are manufactured.
► The mechanical properties satisfy the requirements of specification.