• Godwin A. Akeke
• Eyo Shalom Itam

Concrete is widely used in construction and has been found to have a significant environmental impact. This is mostly owing to its substantial carbon footprint and emissions, which can be linked to the energy-intensive manufacturing of Lime Stone Cement (LSC). This research investigates the feasibility of using expanded polystyrene (EPS) and rice husk ash (RHA) as sustainable construction materials. These materials are natural and environmentally friendly and can be partially substituted for traditional components in concrete mixtures, as EPS and RHA are two different types of agriculture and industrial waste materials. While Polystyrene, is widely used in packaging and insulation applications, is derived from petrochemical sources and commonly becomes trash after its utilization. Rice husk ash (RHA), is a byproduct of rice milling, is a readily accessible agricultural waste material that is frequently neglected in numerous places. Both materials offer opportunities for recycling and contributing to sustainable construction methods by reducing the environmental impact of their disposal. This study investigates how bio composite waste affects concrete's functionality, compressive strength, and water absorption characteristics. The compressive strength data obtained demonstrates a distinct pattern, wherein the concrete mixture containing 5% EPS and 5% RHA has the greatest strength, measuring 37.46 N/mm². A decline in the compressive strength was observed as the proportion of RHA and EPS increases, highlighting the inherent trade-off between sustainability and structural integrity. The assessment of workability in concrete placement is of utmost importance, and it was conducted using the slump test. The slump heights at 5-15% EPS ranged from 80-62mm, while at 20% EPS, the workability decreased to 62mm. A review was conducted to assess the durability of the concrete in terms of its ability to absorb water. The findings indicated that as the amount of EPS increases, the water absorption values exceed those of conventional concrete samples. This study establishes a significant basis for the use of RHA and EPS in the production of concrete, presenting an environmentally conscious approach towards promoting sustainable construction methods.

Ash, polystyrene, construction, agro-waste, concrete, Strength

"An Empirical Study of Sustainable Construction Methods using Expanded Polystyrene and Rice Husk Ash Concrete.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 4, page no.j453-j469, April-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2404960.pdf

"An Empirical Study of Sustainable Construction Methods using Expanded Polystyrene and Rice Husk Ash Concrete.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 4, page no. ppj453-j469, April-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2404960.pdf