Expanded Polystyrene in

Construction

HAFIS P
S5 PS&E
CUSAT
INTRUDUCTION
 Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and tough,
closed-cell foam. It is usually white and made of pre-
expanded polystyrene beads

 Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is an innovative building

material that lends to the design and structural
integrity of many building projects

 EPS is also known as Thermocol

EPS
IUPAC Name :Poly(1-phenylethene)

 Monomer : Styrene
EBS USED IN CONSTUCTION

 Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

 EPS Slabs for Under-Floor Heating

 Internal & External Wall Insulation

 Loft / Ceiling Insulation
 Civil Engineering
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
 A building system that uses an expanded
polystyrene (EPS) form to construct residential
and commercial structures.
 Concrete is poured into the formwork that also
acts as a long lasting thermal insulation which
keeps the house warm and protects the concrete
core from temperature extremes
Benefits of ICFs

 Concrete cures faster and better

 Easy and cost effective handling
 Up to 75% less energy required
 Cost saving of at least 15%
 Considerable reduction in building
time by up to 80%
 Good sound insulation
 Building can withstand many natural disasters
 Construction method save up to 40% concrete
EPS Slabs for Under-Floor Heating

 EPS boards are perfect for laying under-floor heating

pipes for residential or industrial applications.

Benefits:
 Accommodates heavy loads

 Provides pre determined grid for ease of layout

 Evens out ground floor temperatures and aids

effectiveness of EPS walls and roof systems

 Provides barrier to concrete slab

Internal & External Wall Insulation
 The perfect solution for upgrading timber-frame kit homes, or
remediating an old stone building without affecting the exterior finishes.

Benefits:

 Easy to install

 Minimum loss of internal footprint

 Improved u values
- Reduction of draughts and cold spots

 Improved internal soundproofing

 Lightweight shipping for low carbon footprints

Loft / Ceiling Insulation
 Supplied in the form of rigid lightweight slabs or boards and
increasingly moulded shapes for insulation between floor beams and
other applications.

 EPS has a range of applications from floor insulation to walls

(internal, cavity and external) insulation and also in roofs.
Benefits:
 Fit between rafters and floor joists
 Reduces heat loss
 Simple to cut and fit
 Made from flame retardant EPS material
 Reflects heat in the summer
Civil Engineering – Bridges / Tunnels

 EPS billets are used in civil Applications

engineering projects to reduce
settlements and/or improve  Minimizing lateral pressures on
substructure support conditions. retaining walls
Benefits:
Because of the extreme  Slope stability
lightweight physical properties of
EPS, it can significantly reduce  Highway insulation
stress and settlements on large
earth structures
 Bridge abutments

 Tunnel and underpass projects

 Lightweight void fill

Civil Engineering - Railways

 EPS brings the benefits of

exceptional compressive
The high strength-to-weight ratio of EPS provides a cost-
effective solution to withstand the mechanical loads strength and block rigidity.
encountered in railway construction.

 This means it is ideal for use in

many construction and civil
engineering applications,
particularly as a structural base
infill, for example in road,
railway and bridge
infrastructures.
Civil Engineering – Stadium Seating
A lightweight, easy to use material for quick installation. Foam-Control
EPS is a cost-effective, durable, and time saving solution for stadium
seating.

Advantages
• Quicker Installation

• Pre cut blocks available to match

custom project configurations

• Lightweight with high strength

• Excellent adhesion to concrete

• No CFC, HCFC, HFC, or

formaldehyde
Advantages of EPS

 Lightweight
 High Strength and Structural Stability
 Economy
 Insulation
 Design Versatility
 Accredited Performance
 Resistance to Water Ingress
 Safety in installation and use
 Flame Retardant
Disadvantage of EPS
 Brittle

 poor chemical resistance especially to organics

 Susceptible to UV degradation

 Flammable

 will crack or tear easily

THANK YOU