ACOUSTIC AND MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF STYROFOAM-BASED LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE

Noise pollution and the growing issue of Styrofoam waste are major environmental concerns in urban areas. This study investigates the potential of utilizing Styrofoam as a partial aggregate in lightweight concrete to address both challenges. Styrofoam, a non-biodegradable material, contributes significantly to environmental pollution, while noise pollution impacts public health and productivity. Incorporating Styrofoam into concrete mixtures offers a dual benefit of reducing waste and enhancing acoustic insulation, especially for non-structural applications. The research evaluates the mechanical and acoustic performance of Styrofoam-based lightweight concrete, with a focus on mixtures with varying Styrofoam content. Results show that the incorporation of Styrofoam reduces the concrete density to a range of 1000–1300 kg/m³, with the lightest mix yielding a density of 1097.88 kg/m³. While the addition of Styrofoam significantly improves sound absorption—especially in mid-frequency ranges—there is a notable decline in mechanical properties, particularly flexural strength, which limits its application for structural purposes. The highest flexural strength observed was 44.12 kg/cm², significantly lower than that of conventional concrete. The findings indicate that Styrofoam-based lightweight concrete, particularly with a thickness of 15 cm and high Styrofoam content, is well-suited for non-structural applications such as partition walls due to its favorable acoustic performance and reduced weight. However, to enhance its mechanical properties, future research is recommended to explore reinforcement techniques. This study fills a critical gap by simultaneously addressing the environmental concerns of Styrofoam waste and the need for effective sound insulation in urban development.