Long-term performance of glass-powder concrete in large-scale field applications

Abstract

Development of local alternative supplementary-cementitious materials (ASCM) such as ground mixed-waste glass is demanded especially when other ASCM are not locally available or costly. The promising performance of glass powder (GP) in concrete mixtures in laboratory scale motivated the current study that focussed on presenting the long-term performance of GP-concrete in large-scale field applications. The evaluated structural elements (constructed between 2006 and 2011) included interior and exterior slabs and walls. The results of core samples extracted from the structural elements after several years of exposure were compared to the laboratory-cured samples taken at the time of casting. The 6.7-year core results showed a continuous improvement in the mechanical performance and resistance chloride-ion penetration of the GP concrete due to its pozzolanic reactivity. The water absorption of and porosity were also decreased obtained when using GP due to the microstructure densification.