Evaluation of Recycled Glass Waste as a Sustainable Substitute for Fine Aggregate and Its Influence on the Mechanical Performance of Concrete
Mortada Abbas Hashem *
Kut Technical Institute, Middle Technical University, Baghdad, Iraq.
Ahmed Kareem Jebur
Kut Technical Institute, Middle Technical University, Baghdad, Iraq.
Ali Qasim Jaber
Kut Technical Institute, Middle Technical University, Baghdad, Iraq.
Mohammed Riyadh Tuaimah
Kut Technical Institute, Middle Technical University, Baghdad, Iraq.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Waste management has emerged as a critical concern in the context of contemporary societal expansion. Glass, being non-biodegradable, is one such material that is not suitable for addition to a landfill. Recycling glass from waste is a sustainable solution that contributes to environmental protection and waste reduction. This research aimed to investigate the effect of using recycled glass waste as a partial replacement for fine aggregate (sand) in unreinforced concrete mixes, focusing on mechanical properties, particularly density and compressive strength. Four concrete mixes with different glass percentages (0%, 3%, 6%, and 9%) of the total weight of fine aggregate were prepared and tested according to approved standards to determine the effects of glass addition. The results showed that the inclusion of glass at 3% and 6% significantly improved compressive strength compared to the reference mix, while the strength decreased at 9% due to poor bonding between the glass and the cement paste. Density also appeared to gradually decrease with increasing glass percentage, suggesting the potential use of these mixes in applications requiring lightweight concrete. The study highlights the environmental and technical potential of using recycled glass in the concrete industry, while taking into account technical controls to achieve satisfactory results.
Keywords: Sustainable environment, recycled glass, mechanical properties, unconfined compressive strength