Polytec - new material and technology

ATH University of Bielsko-Biała, Civil Engineering Dep., Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała Poland

^* Corresponding author: jjuraszek@ath.bielsko.pl

Abstract

The paper describes the possible applications of expanded polystyrene (EPS) granulate derived from recycling for the production of prefabricated building units. Test results of a new material called Polytec and its application in the construction industry are presented. The polytec construction system is based on prefabricated large-panel units. An important advantage of the new material is the volume representation of EPS granulate, which reaches up to 60-70%. So far - in order to keep the proper strength of the manufactured structures lightweight, concretes containing up to 40% of EPS were used. Increasing the EPS volume in a mixture containing modified cement mortar increases the thermal insulation of the material and, at the same time, reduces the strength of Polytec units. The higher volume representation of recycling EPS granulate enables effective waste management and allows decreasing the use of natural aggregate in the mixture. This, in turn, contributes to more effective environmental protection and lower carbon dioxide emission. An innovative solution for monitoring the strain of selected elements of the Polytec system was proposed based on optical fiber sensors with Bragg grating. They enable conducting both static and dynamic measurements. The monitoring system was installed in a building made of prefabricated elements.