Development of eco-friendly engineered cementitious composites (ECC) with both waste glass powder and aggregate: A comprehensive investigation

Abstract

This study investigated the micro-macro properties of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) with both waste glass powder (WGP) and waste glass aggregate (WGA) as substitutes for binder and silica sand, aiming to achieve sustainable ECC materials and recycle waste glass in a high-value approach. The results indicate that a high volume of WGP used as a replacement for cement leads to a loose microstructure in ECC, whereas ECC prepared with 100 % WGA replacing silica sand exhibit a better microstructure compared to the reference ECC. Replacing cement with a high volume of WGP reduces the compressive and flexural strengths, but replacing silica sand with WGA increases the compressive and flexural strengths of ECC. Under tensile loading, both WGP replacing binders and WGA replacing silica sand enhance the strain capacity of ECC at substitution rates not exceeding 25 %. As the substitution rate increases, replacing 50 % of cement with WGP reduces the strain capacity and ultimate tensile strength of ECC by 18 % and 32.5 %, respectively. Nevertheless, substituting WGA for silica sand can enhance the strain capacity of ECC. Substituting WGP for the binders increases the transport properties and water-permeable porosity of blended ECC, while the replacement of silica sand with a moderate dosage of WGA reduces the water transport properties and water-permeable porosity. The simultaneous substitution of binder and silica sand with WGP and WGA, respectively, enables the production of sustainable ECC with desirable micro-macro properties. The complete replacement of silica sand and fly ash with WGA and WGP, respectively, is feasible, whereas the substitution of cement with a high-volume WGP should be limited.