Properties of concrete with waste glass after exposure to elevated temperatures

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical properties of concrete containing waste glass (WG) after exposure to elevated temperatures. The tests used crushed glass (CG) and glass powder (GP) to replace coarse and fine aggregates in concrete, respectively. Tests included concrete specimens at 0–30% CG or GP replacement levels, and two types of recycled glass concrete (RGC) are produced: crushed glass concrete (CGC) and glass powder concrete (GPC). The residual mechanical properties and physical characteristics of RGC exposure to temperatures up to 600 °C are measured, and the microstructure of RGC after damage is observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As the specimens heated up, their surface color changed from bright to dark and then back to bright again. Meanwhile, the mass loss and water absorption rate continued to increase. There is no significant difference in the trend of mechanical properties between RGC and control concrete (CC) from 20 °C to 450 °C. At 600 °C, RGC exhibited better residual mechanical properties and durability than CC. The addition of WG mitigated high temperature related damage of concrete, and the results suggest it is possible that GPC has superior heat resistance than CGC. Furthermore, the equations describing the relationship between splitting tensile or compressive strength values to temperature and glass content are established to facilitate the practical use of RGC.