Strength and durability of recycled aggregate concrete containing milled glass as partial replacement for cement

Milled waste glass was used as secondary cementitious material towards production of recycled aggregate concrete with improved strength and durability attributes. Experimental investigation of the novel concept of using milled waste glass, as partial replacement for cement, to overcome the drawbacks of recycled aggregate and the resulting concrete showed that waste glass, when milled to micro-scale particle size, is estimated to undergo pozzolanic reactions with cement hydrates, forming secondary calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H). These reactions bring about favorable changes in the structure of the hydrated cement paste and the interfacial transition zones in recycled aggregate concrete.Use of milled waste glass, as partial replacement of cement, is estimated to produce significant gains in strength and durability of recycled aggregate concrete. Milled waste glass was also found to suppress alkali-silica reactions. The encouraging test results are viewed to facilitate broad-based use of recycled aggregate and diversion of large quantities of landfill-bound mixed-color waste glass for a value-added use to produce recycled aggregate concrete incorporating milled waste glass.

▸ Use of milled waste glass as partial replacement for cement can effectively overcome the limitations of recycled aggregate. ▸ Milled waste glass in sub-micron particle size undergoes pozzolanic reaction. ▸ Significant gains in strength and durability characteristics of recycled aggregate concrete are obtained with milled glass. ▸ Decrease in moisture sorption and chloride permeability, and increase in freeze–thaw resistance of concrete is observed.