Effect of glass powders on the mechanical and durability properties of cementitious materials

Abstract

This paper examines the mechanical strength and durability behavior of cementitious materials modified with two types of glass powders and a class F fly ash at various levels of cement replacement. Mechanical strengths were evaluated via compressive strength and flexural strength tests, and durability characteristics studied included alkali-silica-reactivity, electrical resistivity, chloride permeability and porosity. The findings from this study indicated that cementitious materials modified with glass powders showed an improvement in compressive and flexural strengths compared to the control concrete at late ages of curing. It was found that the addition of glass powders decreased alkali-silica reaction expansions of the modified cementitious materials when mixed with reactive sands and enhanced resistance to chloride permeability and electrical resistivity of cementitious materials. The improvement in the mechanical strength and durability of the cementitious materials modified with glass powders can be attributed to microstructure improvement arising from the pozzolanic property of the glass powders.