Life-cycle assessment (LCA) aspects and strength characteristics of self-compacting mortars (SCMs) incorporating fly ash and waste glass PET

Abstract

In this study, fresh, mechanical, microstructural, and thermal properties as well as environmental impact of self-compacting mortars (SCMs) were determined by using glassPET (GP) and fly ash (FA). For this work, firstly, control mixture in which 80% of Portland cement (PC) and 20% of FA was designed. Then, GP was used in the ratios of 3%, 6%, and 9% instead of FA. During production, the mini-slump flow diameter and the mini-v funnel flow times of the SCMs were measured. After that, the mechanical properties of these mixes were determined via the compressive, flexural, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests at 28 and 90 days. In addition, microstructural and thermal properties of SCMs incorporating GP in the ratios of 0% and 9% instead of FA were determined by using SEM/EDX and TGA/DTA analyzes. Moreover, the comparative life-cycle assessment (LCA) has been conducted using LCA software SimaPro® with ReCiPe database. One kg/m3 of mortar was selected as functional unit and a cradle to gate approach was followed for the LCA including material extraction, transport and production, and system boundaries used. Results were given from the software underline the estimated environmental performance of mortar production with providing single scores coming from three gauges including Human Health, Ecosystems, and Resources as well as the strength characterctics of SCMs. The test results indicated that GP and FA used instead of PC improves the environmental performance of SCMs while adversely affecting the fresh, mechanical, and microstructural properties.