Emprego de EPS reciclado em blocos vazados de concreto para otimização do conforto térmico das edificações

Abstract

The natural resources preservation and implementation of sustainable factor in projects are two of main concerns obeserved currently by researchers and engineers resident around world. The developed research seeked to make feasiable new concretes that incorporate these guidelines inserting expanded polystyrene, from mechanical recycling, in partial replacement of traditional coarse aggregate used in Amazonas. Firstly was carried out a physicochemical characterization in involved components to verify their uses on production of hollow concrete blocks. After that, the experimental dosage was obtained in association of Compressible Packaging Model with Tango´s adapted methodology for four concretes produced (with content ratios of 0, 5, 10 and 15% as partial volumetric replacement of coarse aggregate by recycled EPS) and w/c ratio of 0,5 was found for all concretes. The tests performed procedures to check physical and mechanical properties followed the NBR 12118:2013, and resulted in two classifications in terms of compressive strenght: referencial (0%) and 5% gravel’s parcial replacement by recycled EPS (defined as limit for employing this exchange according to NBR 6136:2014) attested their uses for structural applications, while 10 and 15% EPS’ partial replacement couldn´t be used because their compressive strenght were lower than minimum acceptance strenght. Regarding thermal analysis, it was verified that all blocks partially attented NBR 15575-4:2013, necessitating adjustments to ensure the minimum perfomance level required for that standard. The thermal comfort provided by referential blocks and blocks with 15% of recycled EPS presented similar results as a function of thermal transmittance and different radiant temperatures, became similar average heat flows in both specimens. However, at times when environment peak temperature were recorded, it was verified greater delay and thermal inertia in the masonry with recycled EPS, reducing heat transmition through the walls.