International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 07 | Jul 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
Utilization of Waste Glass as a Partial Replacement For Cement in Concrete Evaluating Pozzolanic Activity and Durability
Anurag Badola1 , Jaspreet Kaur2
Civil Engineering, CT University, Ludhiana,
India
ABSTRACT
This research is examining the viability and effectiveness of powdered waste glass as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in concrete, and the key goal is detecting the maximum level of replacement in an efficient way that sustains the interestsinsustainabilityandstructuralintegrity.InvestigationswerecarriedoutusingordinaryPortlandcementreplacedby powdered waste glass in three levels (20%, 35% and 50% on weight), in addition to benchmark mixes, in which fly ashand silicafumewereadded.Thestandardizedtestingprocedureschargedcompressivestrengthandsplittensilestrength,modulus of elasticity, and durability parameters, such as permeability, alkali-silica reaction (ASR), sulfate resistance, freeze-thaw resistance,andwaterresistance.TheadvancedmicrostructureanalysisbasedonSEM/EDSrevealedtheintrinsicmorphology and the reaction products, whereas the environmental impact was determined based on measurement of expressed reductionsinCO2emissions,anddiversionofglasswasteproductsoutoflandfills.
Demonstrated results indicated that replacement level of 20 percent powdered waste glass had mechanical properties and durabilitypropertiesalmostequaltoconventionalconcretewitha28daysaccompaniedcompressivestrengthof38MPa(just 5 percent lower compared to the control) and good tensile and flexural strength and low ASR expansion. WG 20 mix also exhibited positive sulfate resistance as well as lowered water absorption. It was noted by environmental analysis that there wasasignificantreductioninCO2emissionsandrealdiversionofglasswastesuperfluoustothewastecycle.Nonetheless,a replacementexceeding20percentcausedastrongerdecreaseinstrengthanddurability.Thisstudyhasalsoestablishedthat thepowderedwasteofglass,utilizednomorethan20percentbyweightisacost-effectiveandsustainableSCMandtherefore offerssomepracticaladvicewithregardtosustainableconcretemixingdesigns.
Keywords: wasteglasspowder,supplementarycementitiousmaterial,sustainableconcrete,durability,CO₂reduction
1.Introduction
The expansion of the global construction sector in recent decades has brought about significant environmental challenges, primarilyduetotheextensiveuseofconcreteasthebackboneofinfrastructure.Centraltoconcrete’scompositionisPortland cement, whichisproducedthroughhighly energy-intensiveprocessesinvolvingthe calcinationoflimestoneattemperatures exceeding 1400°C. This manufacturing process releases vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere, making cement production responsible for approximately 8% of total global CO₂ emissions. In countries like India, experiencing acceleratedurbanizationandinfrastructuregrowth,cementproductionhasbecomethethird-largestindustrialsourceofCO₂ emissions, trailing only the power and steel sectors. The associated consequences ranging from air pollution and climate changetothedepletionofnaturalresources underscoretheurgencyformoresustainablepracticeswithintheconstruction industry[1].
Sustainablealternativestotraditionalcementarethereforecrucialtoreducingthesector’senvironmentalfootprint.
InIndia,theenvironmentalandinfrastructuralstakesareparticularlyhigh.Rapidurbanizationandindustrializationhaveled toincreasedsolidwastegeneration,strainingthecountry’swastemanagementsystems.Amongvariouswastestreams,glass waste is a significant concern. It originates from diverse sources, including packaging, construction and demolition (C&D) debris,theautomobilesector,andvariousconsumerproducts.Duetoinefficientcollectionsystems,contaminationwithother wastematerials,andlimiteddemandforrecycledglassproducts,alargefractionofwasteglassinIndiaendsupinlandfillsor isopenlydumped posingalong-termthreattolandandwaterecosystems,aswellaspublichealth[4].
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 07 | Jul 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
In the Indian context, these challenges are compounded by the lack of organized recycling and waste management systems. Most cities still struggle with waste segregation and collection, resulting in low recovery rates for glass and other recyclable materials. Despite policy initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission), which aim to improve waste managementandsanitation,therecyclingofglassremainslargelyuntapped.Consequently,theuseofpowderedwasteglassin concrete has the potential to not only reduce the environmental impact of cement production but also provide a sustainable outletformanagingthecountry’smountingglasswasteproblem[8].
Consideringthesefactors,thepresentstudyisundertakenwiththefollowingobjectives:
1. To evaluate the recyclability and effectiveness of powdered waste glass as a partial replacement for cement in concreteformulations;
2. To compare the performance of powdered waste glass with other commonly used SCMs such as fly ash and silica fume,focusingonmechanicalproperties,durability,andmicrostructure,withparticularattentiontomitigatingalkaliaggregatereactions;
3. TouseadvancedtechniquessuchasScanningElectronMicroscopy(SEM)andEnergy-DispersiveX-raySpectroscopy (EDS)togaininsightintothemicrostructuralcharacteristicsofconcretecontainingthesematerials.
2. Materials
and Methods
2.1
DescriptionofMaterials
Thepresentstudyemploysacombinationoftraditionalandalternativematerialstoevaluatethefeasibilityofusingpowdered waste glass as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in concrete. The primary binding material used is Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC, 53 grade), which serves as the baseline for all concrete mixes. Three types of SCMs are utilized: powdered waste glass, fly ash, and silica fume. Fly ash is procured from a local power plant, conforming to IS 3812 standards, while silica fume is a by-product of the silicon alloy industry, processed according to IS 15388 standards. Aggregates,whichprovidebulkandstrengthtotheconcrete,consistofnaturalriversand(fineaggregate)andcrushedgranite (coarseaggregate)withamaximumparticlesizeof20mm.AllaggregatesaregradedandsievedasperIS383specificationsto ensureuniformityandworkabilityinthemix[1].
2.2PreparationandCharacterizationofWasteGlassPowder
The waste glass used in this study is sourced from recycling facilities and comprises discarded packaging, construction, and consumerproducts.Thecollectedglassisfirstcleanedandsortedtoremovecontaminants.Itisthencrushedandmilled using a ball mill grinder until 90% of the powder passes through a 75-micron sieve, ensuring sufficient fineness for pozzolanic reactions.Physical characterization ofthegroundwasteglassincludesdeterminingparticlesizedistribution, specific gravity (2.4–2.6 g/cm³), and bulk density (1400–1500 kg/m³). Chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) confirms a high silica (SiO₂) content of 70–75%, essential for pozzolanic activity, alongside minor quantities of sodium oxide, calcium oxide, and otheroxides[1].
2.3ConcreteMixDesignandComposition
Concrete mixes are designed following IS 10262:2019 guidelines, targeting M30 grade concrete with a characteristic compressivestrength of30 MPa.Aconstant water-cement ratio of0.45 ismaintainedacross all mixestocontrol workability andhydration.Sixdifferentmixcompositionsareprepared:
Control Mix (CM): 100%OPC,noSCMs.
WG20: 20%cementreplacedbypowderedwasteglass.
WG35: 35%cementreplacedbypowderedwasteglass.
WG50: 50%cementreplacedbypowderedwasteglass.
FA20: 20%cementreplacedbyflyash.
SF15: 15%cementreplacedbysilicafume.
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 07 | Jul 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
Each mix uses the same aggregate content (730 kg fine, 1200 kg coarse per m³) and a fixed water content of 153 liters. Superplasticizersareaddedasrequiredtomaintainworkability,especiallyforhighSCMcontentmixes[7].
2.4 Experimental Procedures
2.4.1
MechanicalPropertyTests
Compressive Strength: Testedon150mmcubespecimensafter7,14,and28daysofwatercuringusingauniversal testingmachine(UTM)asperIS516:1959.
Flexural Strength: Measuredon100×100×500mmbeamsusingathree-pointbendingsetup.
Split Tensile Strength: Conductedon150mm×300mmcylindricalspecimensloadedalongtheirverticaldiameter.
Modulus of Elasticity: Determined from stress-strain measurements on cylindrical samples subjected to axial loading,followingIS456:2000.Theresultsprovideinsightintostrengthdevelopmentandstructuralbehavioracross differentreplacementlevelsofSCMs[6].
2.4.2
DurabilityTests
Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR): Assessed using mortar bars (25 × 25 × 285 mm) immersed in 1M NaOH at 80°C, followingASTMC1260,tomonitorexpansionandASRsusceptibility.
Sulfate Resistance: Cylindrical specimens (150 × 300 mm) are immersed in a 5% sodium sulfate solution for six months,withperiodicmeasurementsofexpansionandcompressivestrengthloss,asperASTMC1012.
Water Absorption and Sorptivity: Evaluated by oven-drying and then submerging concrete cubes, measuring weightgain,andbycapillaryabsorptionteststodeterminepermeabilityanddurability.
Freeze-Thaw Resistance: Small cubes (100 mm) undergo up to 300 freeze-thaw cycles between -18°C and 4°C, followingASTMC666,withassessmentofcrackingandstiffnessloss[4].
2.4.3MicrostructuralAnalysis
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): Used to observe the morphology and microstructure of concrete containing variousSCMs.Concretefragments(10×10mm)aredried,polished,andcoatedwithgoldorcarbonforimaging.
Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS): Conducted in tandem with SEM to map and quantify elemental distribution, especially Si, Ca, and Al, confirming the extent of pozzolanic reaction and identifying unreacted glass particleswithinthecementitiousmatrix[5].
3. Results and Discussion
3.1 Mechanical Properties: Effect of Waste Glass Replacement Levels
3.1.1CompressiveStrengthTrends
Compressivestrengthistheprincipalmetricforconcreteperformance.Asobservedintheexperimentalresults,increasingthe replacementofcementwithpowderedwasteglass(WG)generallyleadstoareductionincompressivestrength,particularlyat higher levels. However, at lower replacement (WG20, i.e., 20%), strength remains close to the control mix, showing promise forsustainablesubstitution.
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 07 | Jul 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
Table 3.1: Compressive Strength of Concrete Mixes (MPa)
In table 3.1 The WG20 mix (20% replacement) yields 38 MPa at 28 days just 5% lower than the control, indicating an optimalbalancebetweenperformanceandsustainability.Higherglassreplacement(WG50)reducesstrengthsignificantly(32 MPa). Fly ash (FA20) and silica fume (SF15) also perform well, with FA20 almost matching control concrete, reinforcing its suitabilityasanSCM.
3.1.2 Split Tensile and Flexural Strength
Table 3.2: Split Tensile Strength (MPa)
In table 3.2 The split tensile strength declines with increasing waste glass content but remains acceptable at 20% replacement. Similar patterns are observed for flexural strength, maintaining structural integrity at optimal substitution levels.Flyashagainshowsminimalstrengthloss,makingitpreferablewheretensileperformanceiscritical.
3.1.3 Modulus of Elasticity
Table 3.3: Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 07 | Jul 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
In table 3.3 The modulus of elasticity decreases as the percentage of powdered waste glass increases, indicating reduced stiffnessandgreaterdeformabilityathighreplacementlevels.Theoptimalmix(WG20)maintainsamodulusclosetocontrol, whileFA20againcloselymatchesstandardconcretebehavior.
3.2 Durability Performance
3.2.1 Permeability, ASR, Sulfate, Freeze-Thaw, and Water Absorption
Powderedwasteglassatappropriatefinenessimprovessomedurabilityparametersbutcanmarginally increasepermeability and ASR susceptibility at higher replacements. However, pozzolanic reactions at finer particle sizes help counteract these effects.Durabilityperformanceinaggressive environments(sulfate,freeze-thaw)isalsopositivelyinfluenced atlowerwaste glasscontent,althoughflyashandsilicafumeremainsuperior
Table 3.4: Durability Performance
Mix ASRExpansion SulfateResistance WaterAbsorption Freeze-ThawResistance
WG20 Low Good Low Good
WG35 Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate
WG50 High Lower High Lower
FA20 Low VeryGood VeryLow VeryGood
SF15 VeryLow Excellent VeryLow Excellent
ASR: RiskislowatWG20,moderateatWG35,andhighatWG50.FinerglassparticlesminimizeASRexpansion.
Sulfate Resistance and Freeze-Thaw: Acceptable up to 20% glass. Silica fume and fly ash offer better long-term resistance.
Water Absorption: Increaseswithhigherwasteglassduetoslightlymoreporousmicrostructure,butremainswithin acceptablelimitsatWG20.
3.3 Microstructure (SEM/EDS Findings)
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) reveal that concrete with powdered wasteglassexhibitshigherporositycomparedtomixeswithflyashorsilicafume.SEMimagesshowalessdensematrixand thepresenceofunreactedglassparticlesathigherreplacementlevels.Thepozzolanicreactionisevidencedbytheformation ofadditionalC-S-Hgelatfineparticlesizes,contributingtostrengthandreducedpermeabilityatlowerreplacementlevels.Fly ashdensifiesthematrix,whilesilicafumeprovidesthehighestdegreeofhydrationandcompactness.
3.4 Comparative Analysis with Fly Ash and Silica Fume
Fly ash at 20% replacement (FA20) delivers mechanical and durability properties closest to the control mix and often surpasses waste glass mixes in both early and long-term performance. Silica fume at 15% replacement (SF15) greatly improvesdurability(especiallypermeabilityandchemical resistance)butcanreduceworkability.Wasteglassperformsbest at20%replacement,providingagoodsustainability-to-performancebalance,butislesseffectivethanflyashandsilicafume athigherreplacementlevels.
3.5 Environmental Impact
3.5.1 Reduction in CO₂ Emissions
Replacing cement with powdered waste glass significantly reduces embodied CO₂ emissions in concrete. For WG20, the emissionsreductionissubstantialwithoutcompromisingstructuralperformance,directlysupportingsustainabilitygoals.
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 07 | Jul 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
3.5.2LandfillWasteReduction
Each ton of waste glass used in concrete diverts material from landfills, addressing India's significant waste management challenges. The effective use of waste glass at scale in the construction industry thus contributes to both environmental protectionandresourceefficiency.
4. Challenges, Limitations, and Future Directions
4.1PotentialforAlkali-SilicaReaction(ASR)
ASR Risk in Concrete:
o Waste glass contains reactive silica that can react with alkalis in cement, forming expansive gels that cause crackinganddurabilityloss.
Role of Particle Size:
o Finely ground glass (less than 75 microns) reduces ASR risk by promoting pozzolanic reactions that bind alkalisbeforeharmfulgelsform.
o CoarserparticlescantriggerASR,limitingthesafeuseoflargerglassfragments.
Mitigation Strategies:
o Strictcontrolofglasspowderfinenessiscritical.
o Using supplementary SCMs like fly ash or silica fume in tandem can further mitigate ASR risk and enhance overalldurability.
4.2Cost,Processing,andScalabilityConsiderations
Processing Costs:
o Collection, cleaning, and grinding waste glass to the required fine particle size demands significant energy andspecializedequipment.
o Theseprocessingstepsaddtotheoverallcost,whichmayoffsetenvironmentalbenefitsifnotoptimized.
Availability and Supply Chain:
o Notallregionshaveefficientwasteglasscollectionorrecyclingsystems,affectingconsistentsupplyforlargescaleconcreteproduction.
o Transportationofwasteglassfromcollectioncentersto processingplantsandconstructionsitescanfurther increasecostsandcarbonfootprint.
Scalability Issues:
o Large-scale implementation depends on establishing local supply chains, affordable processing infrastructure,andmarketacceptanceamongconstructionstakeholders.
4.5SuggestionsforFurtherResearch
Long-Term Durability Studies:
o More extensive research is needed to assess the performance of glass-containing concrete under real-world exposureconditions(marine,sulfate-rich,freeze-thawenvironments)overextendedperiods.
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 07 | Jul 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):
o Comprehensive LCAs should quantify the overall environmental impact, including carbon savings, energy consumption,andlandfilldiversionacrossdifferentregionsandsupplychains.
Regional and Material-Specific Studies:
o Investigationsshouldfocusonregion-specificavailabilityofwasteglass,logisticsofcollectionandprocessing, andeconomicviabilityinvariouspartsofIndiaandglobally.
Optimization of Processing:
o Research into more energy-efficient and cost-effective glass grinding methods will improve the economic sustainabilityofthisapproach.
Commercial Scale-Up:
o Studies on integrating powdered waste glass in commercial concrete plants and construction projects are neededtoaddresspracticalchallengesandpromotewidespreadadoption.
5.Conclusion
utilizationpotentialofwasteglassasasupplementarycementingmaterial(SCM)inconcreteispromising,eventhoughusing thismaterialhasaconsiderablecontributiontothesustainablenatureoftheconstructionindustry.Accordingtoresultsofthe experiment,areasonablecompromiseinthemechanicalproperties,durability,andenvironmentaladvantagesisobtainedby replacing a part of the cement content with the waste glass by up to 20% by weight., the successful application is under the conditions of overcoming such difficulties as the variability of the glass composition and the threat of ASR, the cost of processing, the respective logistics of regional supply chains. It is advisable to mix the waste glass powder with other SCMs likeflyashorsilicafumetoimproveperformanceaswellasdurability.Thedownfieldstudiesarenecessarytoexitbefore and afteranalysisinthefield,fulllife-cycleimpactevaluation,andoptimizationofprocessingprocedurestoobtainthepossibility toimplementit in large volumes. Tosum up, the utilization of powderedwasteglasswouldprovide an effectiveavenueto a moresustainableandenvironment-friendlyconcreteontheprinciples ofcirculareconomyandcontemporaryenvironmental requirements.
REFRENCES
1. Hu, Y., Tang, Z., Li, W., Li, Y., & Tam, V. W. Y. (2019). Physical-mechanical properties of fly ash/GGBFS geopolymer compositeswithrecycledaggregates. ConstructionandBuildingMaterials, 226,139–151.
2. Huo,W.,Zhu,Z.,Chen,W.,Zhang,J.,Kang,Z.,Pu,S.,&Wan,Y.(2021).Effectofsynthesisparametersonthedevelopment ofunconfinedcompressivestrengthofrecycledwasteconcretepowder-basedgeopolymers. ConstructionandBuilding Materials, 292,123264.
3. Huseien,G.F.,Hamzah,H.K.,MohdSam,A.R.,Khalid,N.H.A.,Shah,K.W.,Deogrescu,
4. D.P.,&Mirza,J.(2020).Alkali-activatedmortarsblendedwithglassbottlewastenanopowder:Environmentalbenefit andsustainability. JournalofCleanerProduction, 243,118636.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.11863
5. Huseien,G.F.,Ismail,M.,Khalid,N.H.A.,Hussin,M.W.,&Mirza,J.(2018).Compressivestrengthandmicrostructureof assortedwastesincorporatedgeopolymermortars:Effectofsolutionmolarity. AlexandriaEngineering Journal, 57(4), 3375–3386.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2018.07.011
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 07 | Jul 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072
6. Huseien, G. F., Mirza, J., Ismail, M., & Hussin, M. W. (2016). Influence of different curing temperatures and alkali activators on properties of GBFS geopolymer mortars containing fly ash and palm-oil fuel ash. Construction and BuildingMaterials, 125,1229–1240.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.153
7. India, E. (2019, September). Fly ash-based Geopolymer concrete used in Telangana road construction. https://www.electricalindia.in/fly-ash-based-geopolymer-concrete-used-in-telangana-road-construction/
8. Indian Concrete Institute, B. C. (2020). Geopolymer Concrete Applications: Challenges and Opportunities. Smart Techniques and Solutions for Ecofriendly SustainableConstructions, 1–67. http://icikbc.org/docs/ICIBCSeminar20200218-GP-Proceedings.pdf
9. Ismail, I., Bernal, S. A., Provis, J. L., San Nicolas, R., Hamdan, S., & Van Deventer, J. S. J. (2014). Modification of phase evolution in alkali-activated blast furnace slag by the incorporation of fly ash. Cement and Concrete Composites, 45, 125–135.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2013.09.006
10. Jochem,L.F.,Casagrande, C. A.,Onghero,L.,Venâncio,C.,&Gleize,P.J.P.(2021).Effect of partial replacement of the cement by glass waste on cementitious pastes. Construction and Building Materials, 273, 121704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121704