Waste glass aggregate for cementitious and polymer concrete

Abstract

Glass waste is produced in considerable amounts annually. Due to the disadvantageous nature of its recycling process, its reuse gains importance. Given the high reactivity level of glass-incorporating mixtures, the reuse of waste glass as aggregate in polymer concrete was investigated. Polymer concrete mixtures, including unsaturated polyester resin, hardener and accelerator, waste glass aggregate (up to 8 mm) and glass fabrics, were prepared for the investigation of mechanical properties. The composite specimens were reinforced by means of glass fabrics in various types (woven or mat), amounts (single or double layer) and orientation (perpendicular or parallel to loading direction). The mechanical properties of polymer concretes were tested for flexural tensile strength and compressive strength. In addition, thermal conductivity and residual strength after elevated temperatures were determined. It was concluded that these composites with easy preparation techniques have superior mechanical and thermal insulation properties compared with their counterparts available for use and their mechanical properties were mainly affected by the amount, type and orientation of the glass fabric reinforcement.

Waste Glass in Cement and Geopolymer Concretes: A Review on Durability and Challenges

“…In geopolymer concretes, the addition of WG powder causes a reduction in thermal conductivity for the minimal interconnections in the internal pores, thereby preventing the temperature flow inside the composite [ 45 ]. The coefficient of thermal conductivity of WG concrete was slightly higher than the PC in the observation of Andiç-Çakır et al [ 23 ], in which the conductivity increased with an increase in the particle size of WG aggregates. This finding was attributed to the densely packed matrix and low air voids within the hardened composite.…”

“…One of the major challenges of WG concrete is the presence of high silica, and alkali content in glass and cement causes the ASR, which could cause expansive gel formation [ 22 , 23 , 92 ]. The ASR expansion is accelerated with the presence of Na and K ions [ 92 ].…”

“…For example, Lee et al [ 99 ] explained that using borosilicate glasses with additives in the cementitious mixture could reduce ASR expansion, improve strength, and be useful for neutron shielding. Other measures can be taken to reduce ASR expansion, such as the use of polyester resin to remove alkali, and stabilized by fly ash, metakaolin, silica fume, and blast furnace slag [ 23 , 40 , 100 ]. The presence of high content of glass stabilizers, such as CaO and MgO, and minimal glass modifiers, which may be the oxides of Na, K, and Pb, can lower the amount of formed ASR gels [ 92 ].…”

“…The most common concerning factors are the high alkalinity of WG powder solution and the negative effect of expansion due to the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) gels, which is negatively affecting the strength and durability properties of concretes [ 22 , 23 ]. Although the risk of ASR expansion in geopolymer concretes is less than the cement concrete [ 24 ], still it is a concerning point for all researchers.…”

Editorial

“…Finally, Andiç-Çakir et al (2016) are concerned about how to utilise some 12-13 million tonnes of glass waste material generated annually worldwide, especially as it might not be possible to consume it in concrete or other cementitious materials, owing to possible resultant alkali-silica reactivity (ASR). They propose using some of the glass as aggregate within polymer concrete, when ASR is not an issue, and their tests indicated that this would be feasible, when the concrete could also employ glass fabric reinforcement.…”