Properties of Concrete Containing Recycled Glass Aggregates Produced of Exploded Lighting Materials

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis of the possibilities of using glass waste from recycled lighting materials as aggregates for cement concrete. The research material was obtained from a company that utilizes electrical waste. Glass from pre-sorted elements was transported to the laboratory and crushed in a drum crusher. In this way, the aggregate obtained was subjected to the basic tests that are carried out for aggregates traditionally used in construction. The specific density of aggregate, bulk density, absorbability, crushing index, grain shape, texture type and aggregate flatness index were examined. In the next stage of research work, concrete mixtures were made in which crushed aggregate from crushed fluorescent lamps was used as a substitute for gravel aggregate. Mixtures containing 10%, 30%, 50% and 100% aggregate were made. A mixture containing only sand and gravel aggregate was made as a comparative mixture. Basic tests of both fresh concrete mix and hardened concrete were carried out for all concrete made. The consistency of the fresh concrete mix, the air content in the concrete mix, the density of hardened concrete, absorbability, water permeability under pressure and the basic compressive and tensile (flexular) strength tests were performed. The test results showed that the greater the addition of recycled glass aggregate, the less advantageous are the features of the concrete obtained with its participation. Microscopic analyses carried out in order to explain this phenomenon indicated an unfavorable influence of the grain shape of the aggregate thus obtained. Despite this fact, recycling of lighting waste in concrete composites is recommended as a pro-ecology measure; however, attention was paid to the benefits of using only 30% by mass of said waste in relation to the weight of the traditional aggregate used. Composite with such a quantity of waste retained the characteristics of cement concrete, which qualified its use for construction concrete.

Effect of Ground Waste Glass Addition on the Strength and Durability of Low Strength Concrete Mixes

“…Replacement of natural aggregate with glass aggregate results in a significant increase in concrete strength [ 12 , 13 ], but not in all cases. In contrast, the test results [ 14 ] showed that the greater the addition of recycled glass aggregates produced of exploded lighting materials, the less advantageous the features of the concrete obtained with its participation are. The addition of waste glass as a partial substitute to fine aggregate has been reported to improve the mechanical properties of heat resistant cementitious mortars [ 15 ].…”

Reuse of Heat Resistant Glass Cullet in Cement Composites Subjected to Thermal Load

“…Changes in the zone of adhesive-aggregate were also observed in studies [ 5 , 68 ]. However, in publication [ 13 ] certain differences have been observed in density, caused by the growing contents of air in the mixture.…”

“…Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 24 [54][55][56][57] and ceramic waste [58,59]. From the ecological and economic viewpoint this solution appears to be advantageous, proecological and safe for the environment.…”

“…Numerous researchers are looking for innovative solutions that would meet performance requirements and determine the inventive nature of the use of waste cullet. Recently conducted studies [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ] enable the determination of the suitability of using waste materials for the production of ceramics, binders, mortar, concrete, plaster, bituminous materials etc. For testing requirements, use is made of various types of cullet, from car glazing [ 25 ], soda-lime glass from containers [ 26 , 27 , 28 ], glass from technological lines of the pharmaceutical industry [ 29 , 30 , 31 ], cathode ray tubes for TV sets and computer screens [ 32 , 33 ], float glass from window glazing [ 5 ], glass from fluorescent lamps [ 13 ], glass from heat resistant dishes [ 34 ] and mirrors, safety glass, crystal glass, and colourless, green and brown packaging glass [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ] among others.…”

The Utilization of Glass Waste as Fine Aggregate Replacement and Rice Husk Ash as Cement Replacement in Concrete: A Review

“…The split tensile strength value decreases with increase in replacement proportions [4]. If the source of glass waste is lighting material the microscopic analysis showed the flat shape causing the accumulation of air beneath the grains in the concrete mix (Drzymała, Zegardło, and Tofilo 2020). In case of CRT glass the densities increases because of low water absorption (Song et al 2019).…”