Investigating the effectiveness of using glass waste powder a partial for cement in concrete pavers.

Abstract

There is a tremendous increase in the use of glass in Uganda due to its durability, bright surface and resistance to abrasion among others that has led to an increase in generation of glass waste which is non-biodegradable waste. Also, the increasing need for construction especially in developing countries has led to an increase in production of cement which is one of its raw materials. Cement production is associated with release of greenhouse gases. This has led to a need to research about glass as a pozzolan to replace cement in concrete pavers without altering their properties. When glass waste is crushed down to micro size particles, it’s expected to undergo pozzolanic reactions with cement hydrants. In this research, properties of both colored and non-colored glass were evaluated. Chemical analysis of glass and cement samples was determined using SEM technique and found out minor differences between colored and non-colored glasses. Compressive and water absorption tests were carried out on various percentages at which cement was replaced by glass waste powder in pavers. The compressive strength decreased with increasing glass waste powder yet water absorption increased in both colored and non-colored. A 20% replacement was of cement with glass waste powder was found convincing considering cost ad environment.