Studies on expansion properties in mortar containing waste glass and fibers

Abstract

The utilization of waste glass in concrete can cause cracking and weakening due to expansion by alkali–silica reaction (ASR). In this study, ASR expansion and properties of strength were analyzed in terms of waste glass content, glass color (brown, green), fibers (steel fiber, polypropylene fiber) and fiber content, in anticipation of reducing ASR expansion. Results showed that green waste glass was more usable than brown because its expansion was less than that of brown glass. Using the accelerated ASTM C 1260 test of waste glass, no pessimum content was found. Furthermore, when fibers and waste glass were combined, there was an effect on the reduction of expansion and strength loss due to ASR between the alkali in the cement paste and the silica in the waste glass. In particular, adding 1.5 vol.% of steel fiber to concrete containing 20% waste glass reduced the expansion ratio by 40% and increased flexural strength by up to 110%, a vast improvement when compared with using only waste glass (80 °C H 2O curing) by itself.