Characterization of Stabilized Earth Blocks with Incorporation of Cement Expanded Polystyrene for Use in Buildings

Abstract

This work focuses on the development of local building materials in Benin for their efficient use in buildings. It aims to make mud bricks lightened with good mechanical, thermal and sound properties and enhance the waste polystyrene. This article is the result of experimental work on a broad field of applied sciences: building mechanics. The study is focused on BTS (blocks of stabilized earth) chosen as reference materials to which we linked polystyrene. The percentage of polystyrene varies from 0% to 100% starting from a constant volume of each reference material. The results showed that the increase in polystyrene percentage lowers mechanical properties. These results also showed that the gradual addition of polystyrene to the laterite-cement mixture has a significant influence on the density and mechanical resistances of the final composite material.