Production of roller-compacted concrete using glass powder: Field study

Abstract

Development of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) caused major shift in construction practice of mass concrete and pavement slabs. Large amounts of mineral admixtures (fly ash, slag, and natural pozzolan) are used in RCC to reduce both adiabatic temperature rise of concrete and costs, and improves durability. Mixed-colored glass, which cannot be recycled, is sent to landfills causing obvious environmental problems. So valorization of this glass when grounded to same cement fineness can be used as an alternative supplementary-cementitious material (ASCM) in concrete, especially it demonstrates pozzolanic behavior. This study presents mechanical and durability aspects of using glass powder (GP) to replace 20% of cement content in RCC used for interior and exterior slab-on-ground during construction of Tricentris plant in Lachute-QC/Canada. However, the results of GP-RCC showed slight lower 7-day strength compared to control, increases of 15% in flexural strength and 5% in compressive strength were obtained at 91days. The resistance to freeze-thaw cycles was also improved. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations showed that the properties of RCC are directly linked to the effectiveness of the compaction operation. The addition of GP yields a higher degree of cement hydration and enables to densify the C-S-H.