Concrete Production Using Fine Glass Aggregates as Partial Replacement of Sand

Abstract

Waste reuse is considered an excellent alternative for sustainable development. For the World Commission on Environment and Development in Our Common Future, sustainability is "one that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs." One way to provide a sustainable solution for glass would be the reuse of glass waste in the production of concrete. Glass residues when suitably crushed and sieved, to assume appropriate granulometry, may exhibit characteristics similar to natural aggregates. The use of glass waste when used in concrete manufacturing reduces production costs. The main objective of the research was to replace, as much as possible, in percentage, the quantity of sand and gravel aggregates by glass waste with the same granulometry, as a way to reduce costs, reduce the use of raw materials and reduce the quantity of wastes that were inadequately disposed of in landfills. Samples of glass waste were collected in the construction industry itself, in works and glassware companies that work with cutting and delivery of the product. Comparisons were made between concretes produced with natural and concrete aggregates produced with the substitution of 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of the fine aggregate, all of which glass was used as a substitute. The comparative analyzes were the mechanical properties of compression strength and diametral compression traction at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 90 days.