Production of Eco-Friendly Concrete Masonry Units Using Powder Waste Glass

Abstract

This article investigates the use of powder waste glass (PWG) as partial replacement of cement for the production of Concrete Masonry Units (CMU) using a lab experimental program. Initially, an optimum level of partial replacement of cement with PWG was determined in the preliminary experimental tests on mortar mixtures incorporating PWG. Mixtures with 100% cement were also produced for comparison with the PWG modified mixtures. Test results of the main experimental program confirmed the viability of 15 wt.% replacement of cement with fine PWG having median particle size of 18 µm towards production of CMU with enhanced strength and durability attributes. The use of PWG as partial replacement cement benefitted the later-age strength and durability of the resulting cementitious mixture. At 56 and 90 days of ages, the PWG mixture-based CMU achieved about 12% higher strength than that of control CMU. Furthermore, eight-day cumulative water sorption of PWG-based CMU was recorded to be 43% less than that of normal CMU. Similarly, a 10% reduction in the dry density of the hardened CMU produced with PWG was recorded in comparison to that of control CMU produced with 100% cement. The inclusion of PWG as partial replacement of cement was observed to increase the initial and final setting times and slightly reduce the flow characteristic of the resulting cementitious mixtures. The use of PWG for the production of CMU blocks is viewed as an excellent practice for the production of strong, durable, light, economical and eco-friendly masonry construction.