Estudo da viabilidade da utilização de resíduo de poliestireno expandido em formações de tijolo ecológico

Abstract

Ecological brick is a great material from a sustainable point of view, as it does not burn during its manufacturing process and is basically composed of soil, cement and water. Polymers account for 26% of recycled materials, which are low values, but necessary. EPS (or expanded polystyrene) is part of this group, so it is feasible to look for new ways to be able to recycle this component even more. In view of this, this research aimed to carry out an analysis of the viability of adding expanded polystyrene residue in the soil-cement brick composition in order to observe its properties (water absorption, compressive strength and dimensional analysis), to the following curing periods of 14 and 28 days. Initially, the raw materials were characterized through qualitative analysis, granulometric assay, plasticity index, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. Subsequently, 5 formulations were prepared with the addition of EPS, respectively 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% in relation to the cement soil mixture. Specimens of the standard sample were also manufactured, without the addition of EPS, in order to carry out a comparative analysis. The technological properties evaluated were: water absorption, 3-point flexural strength and dimensional analysis. The results showed that the addition of EPS residue in the ecological brick is feasible up to the F8 formulation (8% addition). For aesthetic purposes, the brick with the addition of these residues is unsatisfactory, since the presence of EPS distorts the surface of the piece.