Concrete containing recycled waste glass: strength and resistance to freeze–thaw action

Abstract

The mechanical strength, mass loss and dynamic elastic modulus of Portland cement concrete incorporating recycled glass powder (GP) as a cement replacement material or crushed glass aggregate (GA) as a fine aggregate replacement material subjected to different cycles of freezing and thawing were investigated. A series of 11 concrete mixing proportions was designed with a constant water/cement ratio of 0·5 including fractions of GP or GA. Tests were conducted on 100 × 100 × 100 mm cubes, 100 × 200 mm cylinders and 100 × 100 × 500 mm prisms. The tests of compressive strength, flexural strength and indirect tension were used to examine the impact of the inclusion of different percentages of glass (GP or GA) on the mechanical properties of concrete cured for 7, 28 and 60 d. Two non-destructive testing approaches (ultrasonic pulse velocity and resonance frequency) were used in the freezing and thawing test. The test results indicated that, compared with conventional concrete, the mechanical strength characteristics of concrete containing GP or GA were more enhanced. The use of GP decreased the deterioration of the concrete under the effect of frost action, whereas the use of GA had an adverse influence on the frost resistance of the concrete.