New study highlights recycled materials in concreteInnovative formula for concrete resists ASR effects. Credit: techxplore.com

The Adoption of Recycled Concrete and Glass Materials in the Production of Concrete: A Sustainable Solution

The use of recycled materials in concrete production has become a promising solution for increasing the recycling rate of waste products. However, durability issues have hindered the use of certain combinations of recycled ingredients.

A team of researchers from Flinders University and other international institutions has developed an innovative and sustainable formula for concrete that effectively resists the negative effects of alkali-silica reaction (ASR).

ASR is known to impact the mechanical properties and durability of concrete, mainly due to the high silica content of some recycled aggregates.

The study focused on a mixture of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and fly ash as binder materials to mitigate the negative effects of ASR on the mechanical properties and durability of concrete made with crushed glass sand and coarse recycled concrete aggregates (RCA).

The findings revealed that fly ash was more effective than GGBS in reducing ASR expansion in concrete.

The Research: "Concrete Containing Recycled Concrete Coarse Aggregate and Crushed Glass Sand: Mitigating the Effect of Alkali-Silica Reaction"

The research, conducted by Aliakbar Gholampour, Armin Memarzadeh, Mahdi Nematzadeh, Mohammad Valizadeh Kiamahalleh, and Tuan D. Ngo, has been published in the Structural Concrete journal.

The study also found that blending 20% GGBS with 30% fly ash in recycled aggregate concrete containing glass sand produced similar compressive and flexural strengths, as well as water absorption levels, compared to concrete made with natural sand. However, increasing the GGBS content resulted in a decrease in strength and an increase in water absorption.

Dr. Aliakbar Gholampour, an expert in sustainable construction materials from Flinders University's College of Science and Engineering, explains that this research highlights the potential of combining fly ash and GGBS in an optimal ratio to mitigate ASR in recycled aggregate concrete containing crushed glass sand. This technology can be applied in various construction projects, such as road construction, landscaping, and infrastructure development.

By incorporating these recycled materials into construction and manufacturing processes, industries can contribute to a more sustainable built environment and circular economy.

This approach not only reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants generated during cement production, but also helps conserve natural resources by decreasing the use of natural sand and coarse aggregates.

In addition to these benefits, the study also found that:

These findings demonstrate the significant potential of incorporating recycled materials into construction practices, promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to building and manufacturing.

David Lamy
David Lamy Author
David Lamy owns the Bachelor in Atmospheric Science Degree. He is associated with Industry News USA from last 2 years. With proficiency in his work, David obtained a strong position at Industry News USA and heads the Science section. “Weather forecasting” is the field of his interest. He bags total 5 years of experience in this field. Apart from his routine work, David loves to explore his cooking skills. He has participated in various cookery shows.