Influence of recycled glass content and curing conditions on the properties of self-compacting concrete after exposure to elevated temperatures

The aim of this paper is to assess the performance of self-compacting glass concrete (SCGC) after exposure to four elevated temperatures of 300 degrees C, 500 degrees C, 600 degrees C and 800 degrees C. The influence of curing conditions on the high temperature performance of SCGC was also investigated. For each curing regime, five SCGC mixtures were prepared with recycled glass (RG) which was used to replace natural fine aggregate at the level of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. After exposure to the elevated temperatures, concrete mass loss, density, water porosity, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and water sorptivity were determined and then a compressive strength test was conducted. The test results indicate that regardless of the exposure temperature, all the water cured specimens had higher residual strengths and mass losses while the water porosity and water sorptivity values were lower as compared to the corresponding air cured specimens. The incorporation of RG in the concrete mixes helped to maintain the concrete properties after the high temperature exposure due to the melting and resolidification of the recycled glass in the concrete matrix. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.