Thermal, physical and mechanical evaluation of concrete blocks with recycled expanded polystyrene

Abstract The research project produced concrete blocks with partial replacement of traditional coarse aggregate by recycled expanded polystyrene. Hence, an experimental dosage was proposed, associating the Compressible Packaging Model with Tango´s adapted methodology, published in 1994, to produce four types of blocks (one reference, without substitution, and three with content ratios of 5, 10 and 15% of partial volumetric replacement of coarse aggregate by expanded polystyrene), with a w/c ratio of 0,5. Tests were performed to check the physical and mechanical characteristics of the blocks, following NBR 12118:2013, demonstrating that the reference block and the one with 5% coarse aggregate partial replacement could be used for structural applications, while the blocks with 10 and 15% partial replacement did not meet the NBR 6136:2016 standard for minimum compressive strength. The analysis of the thermal performance of the blocks was done using the calculation procedures of NBR 15220-2:2005, verifying the limits established by NBR 15575-4:2013. The thermal comfort provided by the reference blocks and the blocks with 15% replacement in the masonry prototypes presented similar internal temperature results during the observed period. However, at times when the highest environment temperatures were recorded, the masonry with recycled polystyrene presented maximum delay and thermal inertia.