Comparative study of the properties of mortars with recycled glass aggregates incorporated by addition and substitution

Abstract

An investigation carried out from mirror artisans shows that in the region of Médéa in Algeria and in the absence of a factory of glass making, an important glass quantity is generated by this activity but not exploited and eventually thrown in the landfill. This study is a contribution to the valuation of this waste in the manufacturing of mortar either by substitution of aggregates, of sand by the glass, or by addition in mortar.Six (6) different proportions (0 (reference), 25, 35, 50, 75 and 100%) of recycled glass as mass substitution of sand and three (3) others taken as addition to the reference formulation were used.A comparison of the properties of the material made with one or the other method (substitution or addition) was realized.By working either on constant workability or with constant W/C ratio, a comparative plan and a discussion of the properties in the fresh and hardened states, sometimes good for one case but bad for others were clarified.At 28 days, the optimum in terms of mechanical strength was achieved for the mortar with 35% by substitution and with 10% by addition of recycled glass.