Fresh and hardened properties of concrete containing recycled waste glass: A review

Rapid urbanizations and expansions have necessitated the construction of new infrastructures while dismantling older ones, which has had a significant impact on landfills. The unrestricted consumption of natural sand, stones, and the extensive application of cement in the construction process has a detrimental effect on environmental sustainability. In view of this, researchers in a variety of fields are looking for ways to reuse materials, as an alternative to natural aggregates to reduce the pressure on natural resources. The inclusion of recycled waste glass (RWG) in concrete can be an alternative to ensure construction and environmental sustainability. The applicability of RWG in concrete attains much interest in the construction industry since it brings a greener environment by reducing carbon emissions. A good number of researches have been already conducted on the physical and mechanical properties of cement mortar and concrete containing RWG. In this review, the effects of RWG in concrete as a replacement for sand or cement, or even coarse aggregate are examined, which primarily includes the fresh and mechanical qualities of these eco-friendly building materials. According to a group of researchers, the inclusion of recycled glass up to 20-30% improves concrete strength significantly. RWG can be an excellent option to substitute natural aggregate, despite adding glass to concrete may result in an expansion in concrete through Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR). This review examines and summarizes nearly 100s of research publications over the past three decades in this field to assist scientists, re-searchers, and industrialists in making judgments and future propositions regarding the appli-cation of these materials as a supplement to existing natural resources. Finally, this study encourages the possibilities of using waste materials in concrete by reviewing the studies on cost-based analysis to set strategic decisions in selecting RWG as a potential ingredient of concrete.

Automated summary

Rapid urbanization and infrastructure dismantling have had a significant impact on landfills. Researchers are looking for ways to reduce the consumption of natural resources by exploring the use of recycled waste glass (RWG) as an alternative in concrete construction. This review summarizes the effects and potential applications of RWG in concrete through the examination of numerous research publications.