Development of concrete containing waste glass

Abstract

The large scale production of Portland cement and the acquisition of aggregates from dredging and quarrying have a dramatic impact on the environment. Consequently extensive research is ongoing into the use of Portland cement replacements, using many waste materials and industrial byproducts, for example, pulverised fuel ash (PFA) and ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS). The continuing debate relating to UK government policy on landfill tax dictates that the use of waste from other sources is high on the political and research agenda. In addition to the use of binder replacement materials from waste, there is somewhat less regard given to the subject of using waste material to replace the fine aggregate content of concrete. Glass from varying recycling processes is considered to be a material which could be used as binder and also as aggregate replacement. Glass which is most considered for recycling in terms of environmental protection is that from containers, architectural and end of life vehicle glass. This study outlines the use of such recycled glass as a binder and fine aggregate replacement and details workability and strength development of concrete containing glass as partial replacement of traditional materials.