Building Systems Based on Foamed Modified Polymers

Abstract

Systems of floor insulation on the ground, isolation of roads and shallow foundations suggest the use of heat-insulating products resistant to moisture, the minerals contained in it, having low heat conductivity and water absorption and relatively high strength for compressive loads.The aim of the research was to study the possibility of using mineral substances containing crystalline water as a dispersed component. Firstly, such compounds as a reinforcing component increase the strength characteristics of products. Secondly, being flame retardants, they contribute to increasing the fire safety of materials and building systems in which these materials are used. To achieve this goal, two particular tasks were set: determination of the optimal consumption of mineral modifying additives; assessment of exploitative stability of the received products. It was found that the introduction of a mineral modifying additive can significantly increase the compressive strength by 10% deformation of samples from extruded polystyrene foam. The exploitative stability of products with a mineral additive varies slightly and depends on its consumption and uniform distribution in the product matrix. The effect of additive consumption on the change in the thermal conductivity of products has not been established. A nomogram has been built which allows one to evaluate the properties of products and determine the optimal consumption of a modifying additive.Systems of using products from modified extruded polystyrene foam in monolithic foundations with insulation for buildings erected on problem soils are considered.

Assessment of the environmental impact on the life cycle of polystyrene thermal insulation materials

“…As a function unit, there can be used cubic meter or kg, but the most effective and adequate method of accounting for thermal insulation function of a material is introduction of heat-transfer resistance unit. For example, European regulatory documents in regard to declaration unit for thermal insulation materials 2 impose to conduct analysis on life cycle per 1m 2 of a thermal insulation slab, the thickness of which ensures heat-transfer resistance of 1m 2 •К/W. While assessing environmental impact under the life cycle, apart from primary energy expenditures from renewable and non-renewable energy sources the following important criteria are taken into consideration: global warming potential -GWP, depletion potential of the stratospheric ozone layer -ODP), acidification potential for water and soil -AP, and eutrophication potential -EP [8,10,11].…”

“…Here, the use of this material is versatile, e.g. applying expanded polystyrene for road construction on permafrost rock masses is gaining popularity [2].…”