A Step towards Concrete with Partial Substitution of Waste Glass (WG) in Concrete: A Review

Abstract

The annual worldwide production rate of waste glass is a million tons; the waste glass is non-biodegradable, resulting in environmental pollution. However, the chemical composition of waste glass (WG) is promoted to be used as a partial substitution of binding or filler (aggregate) material in concrete production. Although significant research has been conducted in this area, the results of these studies are scattered, and it is difficult to judge the suitability of waste glass in concrete. This review looks at the effects of waste glass on concrete’s fresh, mechanical, and durability properties. It concludes that waste glass decreased the flowability of concrete. Furthermore, waste glass can be used as pozzolanic material, creating secondary cementitious compound (CSH) gel. CSH gel increased the cement paste’s binding properties, leading to increased mechanical performance. Moreover, this study reveals that the optimum dose of waste glass is important to minimize the possibility of an alkali–silica reactions. Based on this review, most researchers conclude that 20% substitution of waste glass as binding material is the optimum dose. The wide range of discussion provides the necessary guideline for the best research practice in the future.

Influence of Replacing Cement with Waste Glass on Mechanical Properties of Concrete

“…Ahmet et al examined different methods of using waste glass in concrete and stated that particle size, substitution ratio, and chemical composition have important effects on the mechanical durability of concrete. For example, as the grain size decreases, workability becomes more difficult but pozzolanic and strength increase [ 44 ]. The particle size of the waste glass, which must be taken into account during the mix design, may affect the active silica reaction depending on the rate of substitution.…”

Production of Low-Cost, High-Strength Concrete with Waste Glass as Fine Aggregates Replacement

“…The key parameters that affect the efficiency of using glass as sand replacement are related to the glass's physical and chemical properties, which include size, gradation, shape, specific gravity, and resistance to alkali-aggregate reactions [4]. The finer the glass particles, the better the mechanical and durability performance is [11,12]. Using glass sand at replacement levels between 5% to 15% resulted in a positive slump value and compaction factor [13][14][15], in addition to having a considerable improvement in the concrete density attributed to the micro-filling effect.…”

“…Using glass sand at replacement levels between 5% to 15% resulted in a positive slump value and compaction factor [13][14][15], in addition to having a considerable improvement in the concrete density attributed to the micro-filling effect. However, for replacement levels beyond 20%, a loss of workability is realized [12,13]. The slump of concrete decreases as the percentage of sand glass replacement content increases [5,15].…”

“…The slump of concrete decreases as the percentage of sand glass replacement content increases [5,15]. Some studies attribute this decrease to the sharp and larger surface area of the sand glass [1,10,12,15].…”

Progress in Sustainability and Durability of Concrete and Mortar Composites

“…Thorough investigations were also conducted in the direction of natural aggregates substitution by recycled aggregates from various sources [1]. The benefits of using waste glass in mortar or concrete has been acknowledged not only from an environmental point of view but also from its contribution to the overall strength and durability properties [13] of the cementitious composites acting as a pozzolanic material [14]. At the same time, there is a growing concern related to the continuous increase in plastic wastes all around the world.…”