STUDY OF BEHAVIOUR OF CONCRETE USING GLASS POWDER AS A PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF CEMENT

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STUDY OF BEHAVIOUR OF CONCRETE USING GLASS POWDER AS A PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF CEMENT Er Shabnum Shabir1, Daud Chauhan2 1Assistant Lecturer in Interior design department, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

(250005) India 2Assistant professor in Civil Engineering Department, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar

Pradesh (250005) India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------mitigate disposal challenges but also decreases cement Abstract - Concrete is among the most widely used

usage, supporting more sustainable construction solutions.

construction materials across the globe, with cement serving as its main binding component. However, the manufacturing of cement is not only highly energy-consuming but also a significant source of CO₂ emissions. In response to growing environmental and sustainability challenges, this study explores the potential of utilizing finely ground glass powder sourced from waste glass bottles as a partial substitute for cement. Various concrete mixes were developed by replacing cement with 0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% glass powder by weight. The findings revealed that a 10% replacement level yielded the best compressive strength and overall performance, while also promoting waste utilization and sustainable building practices.

1.1 OBJECTIVES

Key Words: Glass powder, concrete, cement replacement, compressive strength, sustainability, green construction.



To assess how the partial replacement of cement with glass powder affects the workability of concrete.



To examine the impact of glass powder on the compressive strength of concrete across various curing durations.



To determine the most effective percentage of glass powder replacement that yields the highest strength performance.

1.2 SOURCES OF WASTE GLASS 

1. INTRODUCTION

 Concrete is a composite construction material mainly consisting of cement, water, and aggregates. Among these, cement is the costly and energy-intensive component, playing a major role in the construction sector's carbon emissions. To promote environmentally responsible building practices, numerous researchers have investigated the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash, silica fume, and ground granulated blast-furnace slag as partial replacements for cement.

  

1.3 MERITS AND DEMERITS OF USING WASTE GLASS A. MERITS

Recently, waste glass powder has gained attention as an effective supplementary cementitious material SCM due to its rich silica content and pozzolanic characteristics. When ground into a fine powder, it reacts with the calcium hydroxide present in concrete to form additional calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), which enhances both strength and durability. In the Indian context, a large volume of glass waste is produced annually, much of which is nonbiodegradable and typically ends up in landfills.

Incorporating this waste into concrete not only helps

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Discarded glass from household and consumer use.

Scrap glass is generated from industrial processes.

Glass debris recovered from construction and demolition activities.

Waste glass originates from the automotive and electronics sectors.

Used glass materials from laboratories and healthcare facilities.

1. Environmental Benefits Reduces landfill waste and lowers carbon emissions by replacing part of the cement or aggregates.

2. Pozzolanic Activity Glass powder reacts with calcium hydroxide to form C-S-H, improving strength and durability.

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3. Better Workability The smooth texture of glass powder enhances the mix's workability.

Corinaldesi et al. (2005) The researchers examined the use of waste glass as a partial substitute for sand in mortar.

They observed a slight decrease in workability, but the compressive strength remained within acceptable limits.

4. Cost-Effective Waste glass is cheaper than cement and aggregates.

Du and Tan (2014) This study discussed the risk of alkalisilica reaction (ASR) associated with coarse glass.

However, they noted that grinding glass to particles smaller than 75 microns mitigated ASR risk due to its pozzolanic behavior.

5. Thermal Resistance Improves concrete’s resistance to heat and fire.

B. DEMERITS

Park et al. (2004) Park and colleagues analyzed the chemical interactions of glass powder in cement-based systems. They found that high-silica glass reacted with calcium hydroxide from cement hydration, forming additional C-S-H gel and enhancing overall strength and durability.

1. Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) Risk Silica in glass may react with cement alkalis, causing cracks if uncontrolled.

2. Processing Required Needs cleaning, grinding, and sieving before use.

Limbachiya et al. (2012) Their investigation focused on replacing fine aggregate with recycled glass. The study reported improved workability and flexural strength at 10% replacement, though larger glass particles posed ASR risks.

3. Lower Strength at High Dosage Over 20–30% replacement can reduce early strength.

4. Inconsistent Quality Glass from various sources may contain impurities and properties.

Patel and Shah (2015) In their experiment, cement was replaced with glass powder at intervals of 5% to 20%. The findings showed that 10–15% replacement was ideal for enhancing compressive strength, while higher percentages led to strength loss due to reduced cementitious content.

5. Handling Hazards Fine glass particles can be abrasive or hazardous to handle during mixing or processing.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

Vijayakumar et al. (2013) This study highlighted the durability performance of concrete with 15% glass powder. The results demonstrated better resistance to sulfate attack and lower water absorption, indicating enhanced impermeability.

Shao et al. (2000) Shao and his team explored the pozzolanic activity of finely ground glass powder (less than 38 µm) and found that it could replace up to 30% of Portland cement effectively. They reported enhanced compressive strength at later ages due to ongoing pozzolanic reactions.

3.METHODS AND MATERIALS 1. Cement: Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) of 43 Grade, conforming to IS 8112:1989 standards, was utilized as the primary binding agent in the concrete mix. This cement type plays a crucial role in strength development through hydration when combined with water. The cement used was fresh, consistent in color, lump-free, and had a specific gravity of approximately 3.15.

Taha and Nounu (2009) Their research involved using both fine and coarse glass as aggregates in concrete. While early-age strength saw a slight reduction, long-term durability and impermeability improved when glass was used in powdered form.

Islam et al. (2016) This study evaluated the mechanical behavior of concrete with varying proportions (10%, 15%, 20%) of waste glass powder. The results indicated that 15% replacement yielded optimal compressive and tensile strength, comparable to or better than conventional mixes.

2. Aggregates Aggregates serve as inert fillers—such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone—making up about 60–75% of the total concrete volume. They significantly influence the mechanical strength, durability, and overall stability of the concrete.

Nassar and Soroushian (2012) Their work included microstructural analysis of concrete containing glass powder. SEM images showed a denser structure due to the formation of additional C-S-H gel, leading to improved impermeability.

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a) Fine Aggregate Well-graded, clean natural river sand conforming to Zone II as per IS 383:1970 was used as fine aggregate. It was free

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from clay, silt, and organic contaminants. Fine aggregates help reduce voids and improve the mix's workability. The specific gravity of the sand was approximately 2.63, and its fineness modulus was 2.6.

Table 1: The compressive test of concrete is conducted for 0%. The table below shows the compressive strength of the concrete cube.

b) Coarse Aggregate Crushed angular granite stones of nominal 20 mm size were used as coarse aggregates. These aggregates, complying with IS 383:1970, were clean, durable, and suitable for enhancing the compressive strength and bulk density of the concrete. Their specific gravity was around 2.7, and water absorption values were within the acceptable range.

S.NO

Cube(N/mm2)

% Replacement

7th day

14th day

28th day

1.

0%

22.87

31.67

35.13

2.

0%

22.83

31.66

35.14

3.

0%

22.86

31.62

35.17

Compressive Strength Of Concrete Cube

3. Water Potable water, suitable for human consumption and free from harmful substances like salts, oils, acids, or organic matter, was used for mixing and curing by IS 456:2000.

Water is essential for the hydration process and influences both workability and final strength. A water–cement ratio in the range of 0.45 to 0.50 was maintained throughout the study.

40 30

20 10

4. Waste Glass Powder (WGP) Recycled waste glass was collected, cleaned, dried, and ground to a fine powder passing through a 75-micron sieve. The glass powder is rich in silica and exhibits pozzolanic properties. In this study, it was used as a partial replacement for cement in varying percentages—0%, 2.5%, 5% and 10%. Using WGP not only contributes to sustainable construction but also reduces the environmental burden caused by non-degradable glass waste.

0 7th day 0% day 0% 14th0%

28th day

Figure 1: The compressive test of concrete is conducted for 0%.

Table 2: The compressive test of concrete is conducted for 2.5%. The table below shows the compressive strength of the concrete cube.

4.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

S.NO

The addition of waste glass powder to concrete resulted in an increase in compressive strength up to a 10% replacement level. After this point, a steady decrease in strength was observed. The rise in strength at lower percentages is mainly due to the pozzolanic nature of finely ground glass powder, which interacts with calcium hydroxide to produce more calcium silicate hydrate (C-SH), enhancing the internal bonding of the concrete

1.

Cube(N/mm2)

% Replacement

7th day

14th day

28th day

2.5%

20.17

16.89

24.93

2.

2.5%

17.21

22.67

24.47

3.

2.5%

19.76

21.96

22.22

However, replacing more than 10% of cement with glass powder led to a reduction in compressive strength, most likely due to a decrease in the active binding materials required for strength gain.

Overall, the findings confirm that utilizing finely ground waste glass as a partial substitute for cement can effectively boost compressive strength within certain limits while promoting eco-friendly construction practices.

Therefore, incorporating up to 10% glass powder in concrete offers both structural advantages and an environmentally sustainable method of recycling glass waste.

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Figure 2: The compressive test of concrete is conducted for 2.5%.

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Table 3: The compressive test of concrete is conducted for 5%. The table below shows the compressive strength of the concrete cube.

S.NO

Cube(N/mm2)

% Replacement

7th day

14th day

28th day

1.

5%

13.96

19.24

21.56

2.

5%

18.71

20.44

14.04

3.

5%

15.96

21.22

18.09

Figure 4: The compressive test of concrete is conducted for 10 %.

5.CONCLUSION:

Figure 3: The compressive test of concrete is conducted for 5%.

Table 4: The compressive test of concrete is conducted for 10%. The table below shows the compressive strength of the concrete cube.

S.NO

Replacement

7th day

14th day

28th day

1.

10%

25.14

34.77

38.63

2.

10%

25.11

34.76

38.66

3.

10%

25.12

34.79

38.17

The experimental findings reveal that substituting fine aggregates with glass powder enhances the compressive strength of concrete up to a 10% replacement level. Beyond this threshold, a gradual reduction in strength is observed.



The research confirms that waste glass powder can be effectively used as a partial replacement for fine aggregates, leading to improvements in specific mechanical properties while supporting environmentally sustainable construction practices.

Therefore, it is concluded that incorporating waste glass powder within the optimal range not only improves concrete performance but also aids in effective waste management and resource conservation by transforming non-biodegradable glass waste into a useful construction material.

Cube(N/mm2)

%

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REFERENCES [1] Patel, A., & Shah, N. (2017). Experimental investigation on concrete by partial replacement of cement with glass powder. International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology, 6(6), 104– 107.

[2] Nassar, R. U. D., & Soroushian, P. (2012). Field investigation of concrete incorporating milled waste glass. Cement and Concrete Composites, 34(1), 25– 30.

[3] Park, S. B., Lee, B. C., & Kim, J. H. (2004). Studies on the mechanical properties of concrete containing waste glass aggregate. Cement and Concrete Research, 34(12), 2181–2189.

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[4] Karamaludin, N., & Safiuddin, M. (2017). Use of waste glass in concrete for sustainable construction: A review. Construction and Building Materials, 152, 489–498.

[5] Taha, B., & Nounu, G. (2009). Properties of concrete contain mixed colour waste, recycled glass as sand, and cement replacement. Construction and Building Materials, 23(10), 3061–3067.

[6] Siddique, R., & Khatib, J. (2012). Use of recycled glass in concrete: A review. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 18(6), 798–806.

[7] IS 383:2016 – Coarse and Fine Aggregate for Concrete – Specification. Bureau of Indian Standards.

[8] IS 10262:2019 – Guidelines for Concrete Mix Design Proportioning. Bureau of Indian Standards.

[9] Chandramouli, K., et al. (2010). Strength properties of glass fibre concrete. ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 5(4), 1–6.

[10] Bashar, S., et al. (2020). Waste glass powder as cement replacement in concrete: A sustainable approach. Materials Today: Proceedings, 43, 1023– 1027.

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