Experimental Studies on the Mechanical and Durability Properties of Mortar Containing Waste Glass Powder as Partial Replacement of Cement

It is well known that Portland cement production is an energy-intensive industry, being responsible for about 5% of the global anthropogenic carbondioxide emissions worldwide. An important contribution to the sustainability of concrete and cement industries consists of using pozzolanic additions, especially if obtained from waste such as waste glass. In the present study, crushed waste glass was used in mortar as a partial cement replacement (0, 5, 15, 25, 35, and 45%) material to ascertain applicability in concrete. Experimental studies were carried out to determine mechanical properties like compressive strength and split tensile strength and durability properties by immersing mortar in 5% sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid solution. Experimental results indicate better mechanical properties of mortar with 15% replacement of cement by glass powder. Further, with 15% replacement of cement by glass powder has shown better resistance to sulphuric acid attack and weight loss is comparable to weight loss in normal mortar in sulphuric acid and thus 15% replacement of cement can be considered as optimum dosage of glass powder in concrete. Also, glass powder replacement above 35% have performed poorly in all tests except in tensile strength test.