Evaluation of Shear Strength Properties of Modified Expanded Polystyrene Aggregate

The paper presents the results of series of direct shear tests made on recycled waste expanded polystyrene foams (EPS). Waste EPS were thermally modified in an oven at 130 ̊C through 15minutes and crushed into aggregate size before tested. Heat treatment of the EPS increased its density from 15kg/m3 to nearly 200kg/m3. Shear strength behavior of modified EPS were investigated in loose and dense states under three different normal stresses. The test results showed that shear strength behavior of modified EPS is similar to that of sand. Internal friction angle of modified waste EPS in the dense state is higher than of loose state.