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

Materials (Basel). 2022 Mar 30;15(7):2525. doi: 10.3390/ma15072525.

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.

Keywords: durability; mechanical performance; microstructure analysis; sustainable concrete; waste glass.

Publication types

  • Review