Title: Investigation of the characteristics of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam beads mixture as a lightweight construction material

Abstract

This research investigates the natural and the mechanical characteristics of the lightweight expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam beads mixture as a lightweight construction material. to solve problems of construct embankments and abutments of highways on weak soil by reducing the weight of soil. In this research, the mixture was prepared using foam beads, sand, cement and water. The foam beads and sand were mixed with ratio 1:1 by volume and mixed with cement content by percentage 7%, 8%, 9% and 10% of sand weight using the optimum water content. Experimental tests were carried out to evaluate natural properties and mechanical properties such as: unit weight, shear strength parameter, compressibility, and crushing strength. The results found that, the high cement ratio of 10% formed lightweight mass with acceptable crushing strength, CBR and compressibility characteristics. The results show that, the cement contents and curing time effect on the properties of the mixture.