Experimental Investigation on Lightweight Concrete Using EPS Beads and Metakaolin

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a lightweight material commonly used in engineering applications since 1950s. Lightweight concrete can be produced by replacing the normal aggregate with lightweight aggregate, either partially or fully, depending upon the requirements of density and strength. Expanded polystyrene waste replaces coarse aggregate to produce light weight non-structural concrete with unit weight varying from 950 to 2000 kg/m³. Metakaolin is a valuable supplementary cementitious material for concrete and cement applications. Usually 8–20% (by weight) of Ordinary Portland Cement is replaced by Metakaolin. In this study, various mixtures were produced by partially replacing varying percentages of coarse aggregates volume with EPS beads and substituting cement with varying percentage of Metakaolin and their properties were estimated through laboratory experimental study. Such a concrete exhibits appreciable engineering properties. The engineering properties like compressive strength, split tensile strength, density and water absorption of the expanded polystyrene-based lightweight concrete is compared with M30 grade conventional concrete. The obtained results were compared with standard ranges of lightweight concrete as specified in ACI Committee 213.