POLYSTYCRETE: Advanced Precast Panels with Noise and Heat Insulation

Properties

A Research Paper
Presented to the Institution Review Committee of Department of Research,
Gusa Regional Science High School - X in
Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for
Capstone for Senior High School

Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Strand

Zecelle Jean I. Galgao

Reane Grace E. Paderna
Vince Jurich T. Zamora

July 2023
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Table of Contents

Preliminaries Page

Title Page i
Table of Contents ii
List of Figures iii

Chapter 1
Introduction 1
Conceptual Framework 5
Research Questions 6
Significance of the Study 6
Scope and Limitations 7
Definition of Terms 8

Chapter 2
Literature Review 9
Application of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in Construction 9
Noise Insulation Properties of Polystyrene 10

Chapter 3
Methodology 11
Design 11
Setting 11
Research Ethics 13
Materials 14
Data Gathering Procedure 16
Data Analysis 19

References

Appendices
Appendix A Timetable
Appendix B Curriculum Vitae
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List of Figures

Figure Number Title Page

1 Conceptual Framework 5

2 Satellite Map of Masterson Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City 12

3 Image of a Few Sacks of Cement 14

4 Image of Sand 15

5 Image of a Gallon of Water 15

6 Image of a Stack of Polystyrene 15

7 Image of Mesh Wire 16

8 Image of Tie Wire 16

9 An STC Rating Chart Provided by Yaukey (2022) 18

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Chapter 1
POLYSTYCRETE: Advanced Precast Panels with Noise and Heat Insulation
Properties

Concrete is a product made using a cementing medium, commonly used in the

construction of buildings, establishments, and houses. It is a key component in the construction

of buildings, bridges, roads, and dams. It also provides strength, is durable, and versatile.

Concrete has been around and present early in recorded history, its earliest recorded appearance

dating back to 6500BC in UAE, where the Nabatea traders in the regions of Syria and Jordan

created concrete floors, housing structures, and underground cisterns. In 3000BC, mud mixed

with straw was used to bind dried bricks together in Egypt. Gypsum mortars and mortars of lime

have been used in the construction of the pyramids (Giatec Scientific, 2017). Meanwhile, the

Chinese added sticky rice, which contains amylopectin, to the usual composition of lime and

water in the construction of the Great Wall of China. The addition of amylopectin to the mixture

allowed the mortar to have more stable physical properties and be more resistant to water

compared to pure lime mortar. It was also found to have greater mechanical strength, making it

suitable for restoration use in ancient masonry (Qinglin et al., 2010).

In 1756, John Smeaton started his task to reconstruct the Eddystone Lighthouse – in poor

condition from the fires and the waves of the ocean deteriorating the lighthouse’s wooden

construction standing on the shore’s rocks. Smeaton’s research led him into developing a mortar

that not only improved engineering methods but also bridged the divide between science and

technology (Morris, 2021): hydraulic lime. Hydraulic lime is made from limestone, aggregate

containing free sand and soluble silica combined with clay, magnesium carbonate, and calcium

carbonate. Hydraulic lime has a greater compressive strength compared to non-hydraulic lime,
 4

sets in more extreme conditions including under water, and are more often used for exterior

work. As summarized by Encyclopædia Britannica (2023), Joseph Aspdin invented the Portland

cement in 1824 by burning ground chalk and clay to remove all the carbon dioxide. In around

1850, Isaac Charles developed a real prototype of the Portland cement, and the manufacture of

the cement quickly spread to European countries and North America. By the 20th century,

cement manufacture has spread to the world and China leads in highest cement production

capacity in 2022 with the country’s average cement production capacity reaching an estimate of

1.64 billion metric tons per year, an estimated 1.51 billion metric tons coming from integrated

cement plants and an estimated number of 124.5 million metric tons coming from grinding plants

for its yearly estimate (Garside, 2022).

For instance, many concrete slabs have granite-like finishes. If the material is utilized

indoors, many building tasks can be completed quickly, affordably, and with durability using

concrete. There are, however, both benefits and drawbacks to this information. For instance,

while concrete gets stronger and more resilient over time, it is still susceptible to water damage

and cold temperatures because water can infiltrate the gaps. Due to its porous nature, concrete is

prone to troubles with mold and stain this is especially true. If the concrete is not built utilizing

suitable contraction joints, it may crack because concrete expands and contracts with changes in

temperature and moisture. Moreover, the material is heavy, which renders it useless for several

tasks. (Sharma, 2017).

Sound is a vibration that travels through any medium and is perceived through the ears of

a human person or another animal (Oxford Languages, n.d.). The human ear can detect sounds

that range from 20Hz to 20kHz frequencies (Purves, 2001) and hear sounds starting at 0dB to

85dB, where prolonged exposure to sounds louder than 85dB can cause hearing loss, and
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exposure to noise above 120dB can cause injury to the ears’ delicate structures (Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Sound that is loud and noticeable enough to be

unpleasant is labelled as noise (Merriam-Webster, n.d.), and noise pollution, which is defined as

unwanted noise, is a major threat to human wellbeing in urbanised spaces (Jariwala et Al., 2017).

In a study conducted in an industrial centre in Pakistan by Farooqi et al. (2019), headaches,

sleeplessness, hypertension, physiological stress, elevated blood pressure, and dizziness, all

attributed to noise, were each reported by more than 50% of the respondents. The World Health

Organization (WHO) has documented six adverse effects of noise pollution on human health;

hearing impairment, negative social behaviour and annoyance, interference with spoken

communication, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular disturbances, and disturbances in mental

health (Jariwala et Al., 2017). Such adverse effects can be considered reasons to soundproof

living spaces and other buildings. The ultimate goal of research and development in the area of

building acoustics is for homes to be constructed in a way that offers satisfactory acoustical

conditions for the people using the houses. Although this is true for many different types of

buildings, including schools, office buildings, and hospitals, sound insulation is particularly

important for homes that are designed to house families and all of their domestic activities such

as eating, sleeping, socialization, household maintenance, and recreation (Rindel, 2008).

Soundproofing a household could enhance an individual’s quality of life, sleep, health,

connections with friends and family, and potentially even increase property value. (Anonymous,

2020).

Heat is energy that is transferred between bodies due to differences in temperature

(Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023). Heat is always transferred from hotter bodies to colder bodies,

which usually results in an increase in temperature being experienced by the colder body. This
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results in adverse effects on human health when an individual is located in an area of high

temperature such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia (World Health

Organization, 2018). Likewise, extreme heat loss is also as hazardous as extreme heat gain in

countries with cooler climates; a section from the World Health Organization’s housing

guidelines on low temperatures and insulation published in 2018 stated that low indoor

temperatures have been linked with illnesses such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular

morbidity, and infections. An estimated number of 5.1 million deaths per year are attributed to

non-optimal temperatures, of which 4.6 million are due to temperatures lower than optimal and

0.5 million are due to temperatures higher than optimal (Brown, 2022).

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is one of the various forms of polystyrene, a synthetic

polymer made from monomers of styrene. EPS is contemporarily used in construction work to

enhance architectural design and provide structural support and insulation, as well as in

transportation, refrigeration, and shock absorbing (Sulong et al., 2019). Additionally, polymers,

especially polymer foams, have been utilized for sound absorption due to their observed ability

to absorb sound waves through internal reflection, refraction, and dissipation and their light

weight and processability. One way polystyrene is used in construction is in concrete as an

aggregate, where it is observed to lower density and thermal conductivity and increase

compressive strength (Sulong, et al., 2019). Another method is the creation of concrete blocks

with polystyrene slabs as cores, which provided greater structural stability and considerably

lowered the chance of collapse. Said material is incorporated into various structures in South

Korea and is used to reduce noise and preserve heat.

Hence, the decision was made to study various properties of polystyrene blocks, namely

soundproofing, insulation, and structural and compressive strength. The researchers will create a
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new product named the “Polystycrete Precast Panel”, which will be a concrete sandwich panel

with a polystyrene core, and subject it to experimentation. With this study, the researchers aim to

bring light to a possible solution for the aforementioned problems.

Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Materials Making of the Polystycrete Panels Precast Polystycrete

● Cutting of polystyrene to be Panels
● Cement utilized
● Sand ● Attaching of tie wire and Compressive strength of
● Water mesh wire to the polystyrene the Polystycrete Panel
● Polystyrene ● Mixing of sand, cement, and
● Mesh Wire water Sound insulation
● Tire Wire ● Filling of cement into molds properties of the
● Drying of concrete Polystycrete Panel

Measuring the Polystycrete Panels'

ability to block sound transmissions
of different frequencies

Measuring the tensile strength of the

Polystycrete Panels
Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 displays the schematic diagram of the study. The inputs involve the materials

needed to produce Polystycrete Panels: cement, sand, polystyrene, mesh wire, tire wire, water.

The polystyrene will be cut into a rectangular panel. Mesh wire will be utilized to support the

panel's structure by holding the mesh wire in place. The sand, cement, and water will be mixed to

form concrete, which will then be used to make the concrete panel encasing the polystyrene. The

wet concrete will be fit into molds and then dried after to fit on all four sides of the polystyrene.

After drying, the result would be the production of a block of polystyrene encased in concrete.

Finally, the sound insulation, heat insulation, and the panel's compressive strength will be

measured.
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The materials that will be used by the researchers to create the Polystycrete Precast Panels

include cement, sand, polystyrene, mesh wire, and tire wire. The procedure indicates how the

researchers will carry out the product's development and the experimentation to be done on it.

The materials will be examined to see if they respond as intended to their function using

experimentative methods.

Research Questions

This study seeks to collect information on various properties of Polystycrete Precast

Panels as an alternative way of constructing establishments and houses. It aims to answer the

following questions:

1. How strong are Polystycrete Precast Panels in terms of compressive strength?

2. Does the compressive strength of the Polystycrete Precast Panels improve over time?

3. How effective is the Polystycrete Precast Panel in terms of;

a. Sound insulation, and

b. Thermal insulation?

Significance of the Study

This study hopes to establish the effectiveness of Polystycrete Precast Panels as an

alternative way to construct soundproofed establishments and houses and to dig deeper into its

benefits for educational institutions. Furthermore, this study could be important to the following;

Community. This study could assist the community to a cheaper and more durable

product through the creation of Polystycrete Precast Panels.

Future Researchers. The ideas presented may be used as reference data in conducting

new research or in testing the validity of other related findings.

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Students. This study will provide information for the students to have a better

understanding of the topic. In addition, it will enhance their critical thinking in these kinds of

topics.

Teachers/Professors. The research study will provide the teachers knowledge on the

creation process and usefulness of Precast Polystycrete Panels and could awaken interest on the

subject.

Scope and Limitations

This study aims to measure the sound insulation of Polystycrete Precast Panels, as well as

its compressive strength. The materials will be sourced from the company’s own resources. The

production and making of the polystyrene blocks will take place in JAC 678 Masterson Avenue,

Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.

The Polystycrete Panel is restricted to a rectangular shape that will be used for the

building of either floors or walls; however, the researchers will solely examine the Polystycrete

Panel's effectiveness in noise insulation and its compressive strength as a wall. In examining the

transmission loss of the blocks, the device to be used will be a sound level meter application

installed in the researcher’s mobile phone. The researchers will not take into account the mobile

phone’s microphone’s sensitivity to sound. Following the Sound Transmission Class Rating,

sounds outside the limit of 125Hz to 2000Hz will not be put into test in determining the block’s

noise insulation.

The researchers will collaborate with the JAC678 Corporation, who will provide the

resources for the research study. The researchers will use 2 months alloted for the study itself.

Definition of Terms

Aggregate. A material or structure formed by a compact mass of fragments or particles.

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Building material. Material used in the construction of various structures.

Cement. A building material that sets, hardens, and adheres to other materials.

Concrete. A building material composed of cement and sand or gravel bound together by

water.

Heat. The transfer of energy due to differences in temperature.

Insulation. The use of certain materials to reduce the rate of heat transfer.

Monomer. A molecule that can be bonded to identical molecules to form a polymer.

Mortar. A building material made by mixing cement with fine aggregates and typically

used in masonry or plastering.

Noise pollution. The propagation of unwanted sound or noise which could have adverse

effects on the wellbeing of a population.

Polymer. A substance composed of macromolecules, which are very large molecules that

are composed of repeating subunits.

Polystyrene. A synthetic polymer made from the monomer styrene.

Precast concrete. A building material produced by casting concrete in a reusable mold.

Sound insulation. A specialized kind of insulation created to lessen the propagation of

noise inside or outside a space. Also known as noise insulation.

Soundproofing. The act of impeding the passage and propagation of sound.

Temperature. A quantitative measurement of the hotness or coldness of a body.

Thermal insulation. The act of impeding the passage and propagation of heat inside or

outside a space. Also known as heat insulation.

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Chapter 2
Literature Review

This chapter will present the direction, insight, and concepts that revolve around the

study. In addition, this chapter serves to reinforce the credibility of the study.

Application of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in Construction

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) has seen a meteoric rise in popularity as a construction

industry use in recent years. Since it is a light, stiff foam that provides good thermal insulation

and a high level of impact resistance, EPS is a well-known insulation material used in a variety

of applications. Its features include absolute water and vapour barriers, air tightness for regulated

settings, long life, low maintenance, quick, and economical construction. It also has a high load-

bearing capability at a low weight. The foam in EPS is a thin, cellular plastic made up of tiny,

spherical particles that are around 98% air. The superior insulation and shock absorption

properties of EPS are a result of its microcellular closed cell structure. (Sulong et al., 2019).

The compressive strength of EPS concrete is governed by the quantity of EPS, followed

by the water to cement ratio. Previous studies reported that the compressive strength of EPS

concrete increases as its density increases (Xu et al., 2012). Similar findings have also been

reported using ultrasonic testing whereby the EPS particle size affects the mechanical properties,

or the flexural strength of the EPS concrete (Liu N. & Chen B., 2014). The effects of EPS

particles on fire resistance, thermal conductivity, and compressive strength of foamed concrete is
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studied (Sayadi et al., 2016). This article concludes that based on the experiment involving

foamed concrete and Expanded Polystyrene Lightweight Concrete (EPS LWS) of different

densities and volumes, the volume expansion of EPS leads to remarkable reduction in thermal

conductivity, fire endurance, and compressive strength of the concrete. Application of LWC

allows reduction in structural dead load and cross sectional of elements, such as columns, beams,

braces, and plates. In addition, LWC-derived structures are lighter and thus lessen the impact of

earthquakes. Moreover, by using LWC, longer spans, thinner sections, and better cyclic load

responses can be obtained (Demirboga et al., 2012).

A similar study by Fernandi et al. (2017) focused on the structural feasibility of EPS

based lightweight concrete sandwich wall panels and found that casting EPS between two

cement fiber sheets makes for a robust but lightweight wall panel that can be used as non-load

bearing partitions in multi-storey buildings and load-bearing walls for single-storey buildings. It

discusses the use of foam concrete made with 50% recycled EPS to create lightweight wall

panels. The elastic modulus of the panels is in the range of 1 kN/mm2, and the panels have a

high flexural capacity when cast between cement fiber sheets. The panels have tongue and

groove joints for connections and can be used for rapid construction with a good finish that

eliminates the need for plaster. The panels have environmental benefits due to their ability to

contain up to 50% recycled EPS.

Sound Insulation Properties of Polystyrene

Polystyrene is one of the most widely used materials in the polymer industry which has

many customers due to the economy and health. Lightness, resistance against mechanical

impacts, cheapness, convenient transportation, permeability to gases and vapours, impermeable

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moisture, good pressure strength and its many other features which can justify the use of these

materials can be mentioned (Alamdari et al., 2008).

In a previous study, it was found that expanded polystyrene created some air cavities

within the transition zone of styrofoam and cement-sand (Ali et al., 2018). The more expanded

polystyrene is added, the more water will be absorbed by the cavities (Gusti et al., 2009).

Polystyrene has been found to be hydrophobic and has a smooth surface, which makes it

acceptable to be mixed with cement and sand as the aggregate (Gusti et al., 2009). Based on

these findings, it is speculated that polystyrene could be utilized as a substitute material to make

bricks and reduce noise since the styrofoam-created air cavity in the brick material may be able

to absorb noise. In addition, the previous study presented that by employing styrofoam as a

sound-absorbing material with a core thickness of around 30 mm and 40 mm, it has the

absorption coefficient of 0.628 and 0.574 at 500 Hz frequency (Sinarep et al., 2014). According

to Beaver (2021), compared to concrete, concrete’s rigidity transforms movement into sounds

and may manifest as noise if not paired with soundproofing materials, which may be undesirable

for the people occupying the space. However, given that using polystyrene can reduce the sound

transmission between rooms, it would be an excellent addition to establishments and buildings

made of concrete that look to have soundproof rooms.

Thermal Insulation Properties of Polystyrene

The global supply of fossil fuels is depleting, the majority of which is used for

temperature regulation (Yücel et al., 2003). To combat this issue, considering resources that

could be good insulators during the construction phase could regulate heat, improve structural

comfort and health, and benefit individual and national economies by using less energy.

Polyethylene materials are among these resources, and analyses on polystyrene materials show
 14

that, for the same thermal conductivity resistance, it is the most economical and lightweight

among said polyethylene materials (Edremit, 1997). Building products produced from

polystyrene are appropriate materials for building types and wall systems (Munsell, 1995).

Polystyrene materials that have a 15% usage ratio in plastics are chosen for insulation, as

polystyrene has a high insulation and low weight resulting in a low increase in building dead

loads. Polystyrene is also commonly used in heat insulation as 98% of its structure is composed

of air which blocks the flow of heat energy, making it a good conductor (Specialchem, n.d.). The

R-value (ability to resist heat flow) of polystyrene depends on the density; loose-fill insulation,

formed by beads of polystyrene, has a lower R-value than a solid foam board (Energy.gov, n.d.).
 15

Chapter 3
Methodology

Design

The research study will utilize a pre-experimental design, which falls under quantitative

research. The researchers will observe a single intervention group as the population undergoes

tests to measure their strength and insulation capabilities, and the results will be compared to the

standard parameters for commercial precast concrete.

Setting

The research will be conducted within the JAC678 Corporation’s office, Masterson

Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, in the Philippines' Northern Mindanao region,

along with the participation of JAC678 staff, who patiently answered initial inquiries and will

guide the researchers into the actual creation of the Polystycrete Precast Panels.
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Figure 2. Map of Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental

Research Ethics

Polystyrene presents various environmental concerns, from production to distribution.

The production of polystyrene releases over fifty chemical byproducts which can contaminate

the land, air, and the water of the communities near these facilities.

Polystyrene contains multiple units of styrene, which is believed to be carcinogenic by

the Department of Health and Human Services (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of

Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, 2002). The studies in the publication entitled “IARC

Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans (2002) showed that there have

been adverse effects recorded after exposure to styrene, ranging from irritation on the skin, eyes,

the upper respiratory tract, and the gastrointestinal tract, to more severe effects in chronic levels

of exposure like depression, headaches, fatigue, hearing loss, nerve tissue damage, and

disruption in kidney function. It also appears to mimic estrogen in the body and disrupt normal

hormone functions, leading to hormone-related problems especially in fetuses and young

children (World Centric, 2019). Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are also found to be produced during

the making of polystyrene. With our product, since it is covered with concrete and does directly

expose people to the polystyrene, it lessens the risk of people being exposed to styrene and the

effects that come with prolonged exposure to it. Chemical degradation of the polystyrene into

dissolved organic carbon and carbon dioxide from exposure to sunlight is also avoided (National

Science Foundation, 2019).

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As Meredith explains, EPS is essentially non-biodegradable, taking hundreds of years to

decompose and consuming “vast space” in landfills. While EPS degrades in seawater, it does not

biodegrade – it just breaks down for marine life and eventually seeps into the food chain (Global

Seafood Alliance, 2022). One of the ways EPS can be recycled is by using it in walls for its

thermal conductivity. Using the EPS as one of the main components of Polystycrete Panels for

establishments and housing can potentially reduce the amount of polystyrene going into the sea

and polluting marine waters, as well as reducing the number of polystyrene occupying landfill

spaces.

Materials

The researchers will use cement, sand, water, polystyrene, mesh wire, and tire wire to aid

in the development of the Polystycrete Precast Panels in this study. Each Polystycrete Precast

Panel consists of a polystyrene board as the core, surrounded by an outer shell with a wire mesh

as the framework for an outer coating of concrete.

Cement. The compound will bind other materials together by setting, hardening, and

adhering to them. It is a hydraulic binder that functions as a glue and hardens when water is

introduced.

Figure 3. Image of a Few Sacks of Cement

Sand. The primary substance that will complete the concrete mixed together with the

cement and water. It will also enhance multiple properties of the concrete, including its thermal

expansion, compression strength, and tensile strength.

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Figure 4. Image of Sand

Water. The water will act as a lubricant and is a key component in concrete that mixes,

sets, lays, and hardens the concrete.

Figure 5. Image of a Gallon of Water

Polystyrene. The Polystyrene will act as the precast block’s core. Incorporating it into

the block will improve its thermal insulation, noise insulation, and its compressive strength based

on the polystyrene’s physical properties.

Figure 6. Image of a Stack of Polystyrene

Mesh Wire. The mesh wire’s reinforcement will help the concrete maintain its form and

structure, especially when cracks in the concrete might form.

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Figure 7. Image of Mesh Wire

Tie Wire. The tire wire will help keep the mesh wire in place and prevent unwanted

movement during the pouring of the concrete.

Figure 8. Image of Tie Wire

Data Gathering Procedure

Preparation stage. The materials will be gathered, provided by the company.

Cutting of polystyrene. A polystyrene board will be cut to a cuboid shape smaller than the

concrete that will be encasing it. In the cutting of the board, four cube holes will be cut in each

corner of the polystyrene’s two sides. The four holes will be filled with cement.

Attaching tie wire and mesh wire to the polystyrene. Mesh wire will be attached to the

polystyrene to help keep the concrete’s shape, as per tradition. Tie wires will be used to keep the

mesh wire in place relative to the polystyrene. The four corners of the polystyrene, filled with

concrete, are where four of the tie wires will be used to hold the mesh wire in place.
 20

Mixing of cement, sand, and water. The concrete will be made by mixing 4 and ½ sacks

of cement, 2 sacks of wash sand, and 24 liters of water. Mixing can be done with the use of a

shovel.

Filling of concrete into molds. The concrete made from mixing will be put into a mold to

achieve a cuboid shape. The thickness of the concrete will be the same, however the length of the

concrete will differ depending on which face of the polystyrene it will be encasing.

Drying of concrete. Concrete will be dried, which will take 48 hours of air-drying.

Noise Insulation Test. A digital speaker will be involved to measure the noise insulation,

which will be placed outside a miniature version of a room constructed with Polystycrete panels.

Inside the miniature room is a microphone which will pick up on the sounds played by the

speaker. The speaker will play 16 different frequencies at a certain decibel loudness, ranging

from 125Hz to 4000Hz. To measure the decibels of each sound played outside the miniature

room and transmitted in the receiving room, the researchers will use a sound level meter

application available on mobile. For each trial, the sound measured in decibels transmitted to the

receiving room will be subtracted from the loudness of sound produced outside the room to

calculate the total transmission loss. After recording the data, the total transmission loss of each

frequency played will be added and divided by n (n = the total number of frequencies played)

(Yaukey, 2022). The results will be evaluated through the Sound Transmission Class rating.
 21

Figure 9. An STC Rating Chart Provided by Yaukey (2022)

Compressive Strength Test. The researchers will request a laboratory test report on the

prior testing conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The

researchers will specifically request for a 28-Day Compressive Strength Test, where after 6-7

days of drying the concrete, it will undergo one laboratory testing using the Universal Testing

Machine. The panel will be left undisturbed for another 7 days before undergoing its second test,

and the same will go for the third test. This test will take 4 weeks in total before obtaining the

final results of the panels.

Thermal Insulation Test. The Polystycrete panel will be laid down on a hot plate to

evenly distribute the heat to the side of the block. Using an industrial infrared thermometer, the

temperatures of the side exposed to the hot plate and the other side exposed to room temperature

will be recorded to test the heat being conducted through the panel. The heat current will then be

computed using the equation:

Q = kA (ΔT/Δx)
 22

where Q represents the heat current of the block, k is the thermal conductivity, A is the

area of the sides of the panel exposed to different temperatures, T is the temperature of the sides

of the panels, and x is the thickness of the panel. Solving for k in this equation can be achieved

using the equation:

k = (k1t1 + k2t2) / (t1 + t2)

where k1 and k2 are the thermal conductivities of the two materials measured in W/m*K,

and t1 and t2 are the thicknesses of the two materials measured in meters. After obtaining the

value of the heat current, the thermal resistance of the panel can be computed using the equation:

R = Δx / Q

where Δx is the thickness of the block and Q is the heat current of the panel. Afterwards,

the R-value of the wall can now be computed with the equation:

R-value/m^2 = R / A

where R is the thermal resistance measured in m*K/W and A is the area of the material

measured in square meters. The R-value measures how well a barrier resists the flow of

conductive heat. The higher the R-value, the better it is at insulating heat and people can spend

less on heating and cooling in cooler and hot climates, respectively.

Data Analysis

To answer the first research question, the researchers will make use of descriptive data

analysis. As defined by Hayes, A. (2022), descriptive analysis is a summary statistic that

summarizes features from a collection of information or a given set of data. This statistical test

will be used to simplify data from a three-day test requested from the DPWH.
 23

A simple linear regression test will be used to show the relationship between the

Polystycrete Precast Panels’ compressive strength and time. This test will determine if the block

gets weaker or stronger with time. In answering the third research question, ANOVA will be

used for determining the panel’s noise insulation.

 24

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 25

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