Compaction Properties of Sand Mixed with Modified Waste EPS

The paper presents the results of the study which influence the use of recycled waste expanded polystyrene foams (EPS), as a lightweight material used with river sand. In this study, thermally modified waste EPS have been used. The waste EPS were put in an oven at 130 °C through 15 min to obtain modified expanded polystyrene (MEPS). The influences of MEPS on compaction properties such as maximum dry density and optimum moisture content were investigated. For this purpose, five series of compaction tests were carried out. MEPS were added to river sand at 5, 10, 15, and 20 % by weight. The test results showed that addition of 20 % MEPS in sand reduces the density of mixture almost 50 %. MEPS can be an alternative light weight fill material for geotechnical applications.