An experimental study on aggregate polystyrene lightweight concrete

Unit weight of an ordinary concrete is high and the thermal conductivity rate is wide. Today in most of the industrial countries, there are studies on lightweight concrete to eliminate this disadvantageous aspects of ordinary concrete and to gain some positive characteristics of it. This experimental study is related with lightweight concrete that is mixed with granular polystyrene. This study creates source for the shortage of energy, which has to be used economically, and related with the constructions? thermal insulation, lightweight and low thermal conductivity rated material search. By granulating the waste polystyrene and use of it in lightweight concrete as light aggregate, basing on the covering of the constructions? and the polystyrene used in the other places, is searched in this study. The positive properties of concrete that has lightness and thermal insulation is examined. In this context, bringing the thermal conductivity rate to the level of insulation material, by changing the ratio of polystyrene mixed in lightweight concrete, is intended. The convenience of the aggregate that can be used in the work checked and some samples containing different ratio of polystyrene are produced. Samples? physical and mechanical properties are examined experimentally, and came to the conclusion of % 1,5, % 2,0 polystyrene mixed concrete can be used in unloadbearing vii construction elements, % 2,5, % 3 and % 3,5 polystyrene mixed concrete can be used for thermal insulation solutions and application suggestions for constructions are given. Key Words : Lightweight concrete, polystyrene, performance.