The Effect of Polystyrene on Concrete Mechanical Properties

The purpose of this research is to find out the effect of compressive strength, split tensile strength, unit weight, and absorptionof concrete by using styrofoam as a partial replacement of volume in concrete and superplasticizer. Comparison of cement and fine aggregate used for concrete mix is 1: 2, with cement water factor is 0,25, substitution of superplasticizer for cement is 2%. Variations in the addition of styrofoam to the volume of concrete are 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% with each of the three samples for testing compressive strength, split tensile strength, weight and absorption. The test specimen used was a cylinder with a diameter of 15 cm and a height of 30 cm. This test is carried out on concrete aged 28 days. The test results of the compressive strength of concrete styrofoam showed the effect of adding styrofoam to the compressive strength of concrete when compared with normal concrete. The maximum maximum compressive and tensile strength occurs with the addition of 10% styrofoam to the volume of concrete which is 22,662 MPa and 4,326 MPa when compared to normal concrete of 24,532 MPa and 4.8 MPa. The minimum content weight and absorption were obtained in 40% of styrofoam substitution to a volume of 1670,484 kg/m3and 0,36%. Concrete with a substitution of 30% styrofoam with a compressive strength of 18,401 Mpa and a weight of 1797,392 kg/m3 can be categorized as structural lightweight concrete.