USE OF WASTE GLASS IN CONCRETE AS A SUSTAINABLE AGGREGATE REPLACEMENT

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55766/sujst9014

Keywords:

Durability, Glass powder, Strength, Workability

Abstract

Using recycled glass as a fine aggregate substitute in concrete offers a sustainable solution for reducing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency. This study explores the effects of partially replacing fine aggregate with crushed waste glass at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight. Workability, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and durability were evaluated at curing periods of 7, 28, and 90 days. Results indicate that replacements up to 15% improve compressive and tensile strength, attributed to the pozzolanic activity of the glass particles. Beyond 15%, a strength reduction occurs, likely due to increased void content and the potential causes include increased void content, weaker particle bonding, or alkali-silica reaction (ASR) a reaction between reactive silica in glass and cement alkalis that can cause cracking. The decline in strength was determined from compressive strength tests at different curing ages. Workability increased with higher glass content due to the smooth surface and low absorption of glass. Durability tests showed enhanced resistance to environmental factors within the optimal replacement range. An ANOVA analysis confirmed the statistical significance of strength variations across replacement levels. Overall, incorporating up to 15% crushed waste glass as a fine aggregate is an effective, eco-friendly approach that maintains concrete performance while supporting sustainable construction practices.

References

Albarbary, M. M., Tahwia, A. M., & Elmasoudi, I. (2023). Integration between sustainability and value engineering in the production of eco-friendly concrete. Sustainability, 15(4), 3565. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043565

Al-Mansour, A., Chow, C., Feo, L., Penna, R., & Lau, D. (2019). Green concrete: By-products utilization and advanced approaches. Sustainability, 11(19), 5145. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195145

Annamalai, K., Sampathkumar, S., Kachancheeri, M. S., Padmanaban, M., Ayyanar, O., & Anbarasu, N. A. (2025). Exploring the role of recycled aggregates in modern concrete technology. Matéria (Rio de Janeiro), 30, e20250033. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-7076-RMAT-2025-0033

Arasu, N. (2023). Optimization of high performance concrete by using nano materials. Research on Engineering Structures and Materials, 9(3), 843-859. https://doi.org/10.17515/resm2022.602ma1213

Assi, L., Carter, K., Deaver, E., Anay, R., & Ziehl, P. (2018). Sustainable concrete: Building a greener future. Journal of Cleaner Production, 198, 1641-1651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.123

Berodier, E., Gibson, L. R., Burns, E., Roberts, L., & Cheung, J. (2019). Robust production of sustainable concrete through the use of admixtures and in-transit concrete management systems. Cement and Concrete Composites, 101, 52-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2018.01.008

Bostanci, S. (2020). Use of waste marble dust and recycled glass for sustainable concrete production. Journal of Cleaner Production, 251, 119785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119785

De Brito, J., & Kurda, R. (2021). The past and future of sustainable concrete: A critical review and new strategies on cement-based materials. Journal of Cleaner Production, 281, 123558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123558

Hasan, N. M. S., Shaurdho, N. M. N., Sobuz, M. H. R., Meraz, M. M., Islam, M. S., & Miah, M. J. (2023). Utilization of waste glass cullet as partial substitutions of coarse aggregate to produce eco-friendly concrete: Role of metakaolin as cement replacement. Sustainability, 15(14), 11254. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411254

Hoy, M., Bundam, R., Horpibulsuk, S., Suddeepong, A., Buritatum, A., Arulrajah, A., Yaowarat, T., Chinkulkijniwat, A., & Horpibulsuk, J. (2024a). Flexural fatigue performance of hemp fiber–reinforced concrete using recycled concrete aggregates as a sustainable rigid pavement. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 36(11), 04024378. https://doi.org/10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-18367

Hoy, M., Horpibulsuk, S., Chinkulkijniwat, A., Suddeepong, A., Buritatum, A., Yaowarat, T., Choenklang, P., Udomchai, A., & Kantatham, K. (2024b). Innovations in recycled construction materials: Paving the way towards sustainable road infrastructure. Frontiers in Built Environment, 10, 1449970. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2024.1449970

Ismail, Z., & Al-Hashmi, E. A. (2009). Recycling of waste glass as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in concrete. Waste Management, 29(2), 655-659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2008.08.012

Jamellodin, Z., Yi, L., Latif, Q. B. A. I., Algaifi, H. A., Hamdan, R., & Al-Gheethi, A. (2022). Evaluation of fresh and hardened concrete properties incorporating glass waste as partial replacement of fine aggregate. Sustainability, 14(23), 15895. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315895

Jani, Y., & Hogland, W. (2014). Waste glass in the production of cement and concrete: A review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2(3), 1767-1775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2014.03.016

Kantatham, K., Hoy, M., Sansri, S., Horpibulsuk, S., Suddeepong, A., Buritatum, A., Yaowarat, T., Ro, B., & Phunpeng, V. (2024). Natural rubber latex-modified concrete with bottom ash for sustainable rigid pavements. Civil Engineering Journal, 10(8), 2485-2501. https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-08-05

Khan, M. N. N., Saha, A. K., & Sarker, P. K. (2020). Reuse of waste glass as a supplementary binder and aggregate for sustainable cement-based construction materials: A review. Journal of Building Engineering, 28, 101052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.101052

Kumar, S. N., Natarajan, M., & Arasu, A. N. (2024). A comprehensive microstructural analysis for enhancing concrete’s longevity and environmental sustainability. Journal of Environmental Nanotechnology, 13(2), 368-376. https://doi.org/10.13074/jent.2024.06.242584

Lu, J.-X., Yan, X., He, P., & Poon, C. (2019). Sustainable design of pervious concrete using waste glass and recycled concrete aggregate. Journal of Cleaner Production, 234, 1102-1112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.260

Mohammadinia, A., Wong, Y., Arulrajah, A., & Horpibulsuk, S. (2019). Strength evaluation of utilizing recycled plastic waste and recycled crushed glass in concrete footpaths. Construction and Building Materials, 197, 489-496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.11.192

Naik, T. R. (2008). Sustainability of concrete construction. Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction, 13(2), 98-103. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1084-0680(2008)13:2(98)

Nodehi, M., & Taghvaee, V. M. (2021). Sustainable concrete for circular economy: A review on use of waste glass. Glass Structures & Engineering, 7(1), 3-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40940-021-00155-9

Parthasaarathi, R., Balasundaram, N., & Arasu, A. N. (2023). A stiffness analysis of treated and non-treated meshed coir layer fibre reinforced cement concrete. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2861(1), 020004. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0158672

Parthasaarathi, R., Balasundaram, N., & Arasu, N. A. (2024). Analysing the impact and investigating coconut shell fiber reinforced concrete under varied loading conditions. Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, 35(1), 106-120. https://doi.org/10.37934/araset.35.1.106120

Qaidi, S., Najm, H. M., Abed, S. M., Özkılıç, Y., Al Dughaishi, H., Alosta, M., Sabri, M. M., Alkhatib, F., & Milad, A. (2022). Concrete containing waste glass as an environmentally friendly aggregate: A review on fresh and mechanical characteristics. Materials, 15(18), 6222. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15186222

Sajeev, P. S., Rajagopal, V. S. G., & Arasu, N. (2025). Investigation of concrete durability enhancement using supplementary cementitious materials. MethodsX, 12, 103527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2025.103527

Sandanayake, M., Bouras, Y., Haigh, R., & Vrcelj, Z. (2020). Current sustainable trends of using waste materials in concrete: A decade review. Sustainability, 12(22), 9622. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229622

Srinivasan, S. S., Muthusamy, N., & Anbarasu, N. A. (2024). The structural performance of fiber-reinforced concrete beams with nanosilica. Matéria (Rio de Janeiro), 29(3), e20240194. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-7076-rmat-2024-0194

Subba, R., Kumar, C., & Sharma, D. (2023). Utilizing crushed waste glass as a sustainable replacement for fine aggregate in concrete. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 5(4), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i04.5926

Downloads

Published

2026-02-16

How to Cite

Anbarasu, N. A., Karuppusamy, M., Kachancheeri, M. S., Padmanaban, M., Sakthivel, K., & Suresh, V. (2026). USE OF WASTE GLASS IN CONCRETE AS A SUSTAINABLE AGGREGATE REPLACEMENT . Suranaree Journal of Science and Technology, 33(1), 010401(1–10). https://doi.org/10.55766/sujst9014

Issue

Section

Research Article

Categories