Mechanical Properties and Behavior of Sustainable Concrete

Abstract

The need to add value to wastes and the opening towards sustainability engineering, by the use of worn out materials as cement and aggregate replacement materials, both in mortars and concretes, with the purpose of promoting increased sustainability of building materials, were the grounds for this work that aims to produce a concrete mix with crushed glass residues.This paper examines the possibility of using crushed glass from glass bottles as a replacement by weight in fine aggregate for a new concrete. Natural sand is partially replaced (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) with crushed glass. Compressive strength, tensile strength (cubes and cylinders) and flexural strength up to 28 days of age are compared with those of concrete made with natural fine aggregates. Test results indicate that it is possible to manufacture concrete containing crushed glass with characteristics similar to those of natural sand aggregate concrete provided that the percentage of glass as fine aggregate is limited to 10-20% of sand weight.