Study of Waste Glass Powder as Partial Replacement of Cement in Concrete

Abstract

Cement, one of the major ingredients of concrete, has an industry responsible for large emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide are produced in large proportions by the cement industry, which adversely affect our health as well as that of the environment. On the other hand, waste glass is conventionally dumped into landfills which prove to be a hazard for the environment. Waste glass is a promising non-biodegradable material which exhibits pozzolanic properties once grounded to a certain size. Glass itself is not new to the construction industry, with uses in roadway construction as well as being used as an ingredient in asphalt, in the 20th century. So, the argument presents a valid case: to use up waste glass, thereby reducing the amount of landfills, and replace cement which would end up reducing the greenhouse gas emission into the atmosphere. The research was carried out by replacing cement with powdered glass in the proportions of 15%, 20% and 25% by weight. Tests were carried out to ascertain compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength. These results were then compared with the values of control sample in terms of strength. The tests yielded the best results when powdered waste glass was replaced in the proportion of 15% by weight of cement.