Comparative Study of Destructive and Non-Destructive Test on Lightweight Concrete Using Expanded Polystyrene

One practical way to lessen the weight of big, massive structures in modern construction is to employ lightweight concrete. This technique substitutes lighter materials that yet offer high-strength construction components for conventional coarse aggregates. This study produced a concrete mix that retained the same volume as traditional dense concrete by substituting expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads for coarse particles. A water-to-cement ratio of 0.56 was maintained while 15% to 20% of the coarse aggregate was replaced with EPS beads to create the M20 grade mix. The specimens were cast with a normal 150 x 150 mm dimension.Density and compressive strength exhibit a strong correlation. Specifically, as density decreases, there is a noticeable decline in compressive strength. After 14 days, the material demonstrates a compressive strength of 16.29 MPa. The study examines density values ranging from 2340 to 2044 kg/m³, with corresponding compressive strength measurements after 28 days falling between 26.37 MPa and 17.77 MPa..Destructive tests revealed greater compressive strength than non-destructive tests, according to the data. When up to 15% of the coarse aggregate in the M20 mix was substituted with EPS beads, the greatest compressive strength was noted