Elaboration of eco-efficient vegetable fibers reinforced cement-based composites using glass powder residue

Abstract

This study evaluates the potential use of glass powder residue as partial replacement of cement in the fibers cement industry. Fibers cement composites were elaborated according to slurry dewatering method. Three formulations were studied; two cementitious matrices with a partial replacement of cement by glass powder residue (20 and 50% by weight) and a cementitious matrix with a partial replacement of cement by 20% by weight of limestone (commonly used as mineral addition in the fibers cement industry). The effect of these mineral additions on the cement hydration was evaluated using isothermal calorimetry. Physico-mechanical properties of the composites were determined at 8 days and after durability tests. Moreover, the potential application of the glass powder residue into the fibers cement industry was evaluated by determine the energy demand of the production of cement and the energy performance of fibers cement composites elaborated from the glass powder residue.The results showed that cement pastes containing the glass powder residue present a higher heat of hydration in comparison to the control. The partial replacement of cement by 50% by weight of glass powder residue increases the flexural strength of composites at 8 days and after durability tests. The results also showed that the production of 1 ton of cement partially replaced by glass powder residue requires lower energy than the cement partially replaced by limestone. Finally, according to the study, the use of the glass powder residue in production of fibers cement composites can provide important technical, environmental and economic benefits.