Georgia Residential Contractor Practice Exam

What is one of the uses of polystyrene aggregate in construction?

1. As a base material for roads

2. In absorption trench installations

3. For insulation purposes

4. As a waterproofing agent

The correct answer is: In absorption trench installations

Polystyrene aggregate is primarily used in construction for its lightweight and insulating properties. While it can potentially be involved in various construction applications, one of its prominent uses is for insulation purposes. Polystyrene, specifically in its expanded form, offers excellent thermal insulation due to its low thermal conductivity. When employed in applications such as insulation, polystyrene aggregate contributes to improved energy efficiency in buildings by reducing heat transfer, thus leading to energy savings in heating and cooling. This makes it a popular choice in wall systems, roofing, and floors to maintain desired temperatures within a structure. Regarding its other uses, while polystyrene may have some role in drainage systems, it is not predominantly recognized for use in absorption trench installations. Its lightweight nature does lend itself to use as a base material for roads; however, it is not the primary application attributed to polystyrene aggregate. Lastly, polystyrene is not typically considered a waterproofing agent; instead, it is used for insulation and structural applications. Therefore, the correct association with polystyrene aggregate in construction is its role in insulation.