Construction

and Building

MATERIALS

Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 713720

www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat

Properties of concrete contains mixed colour waste recycled glass

as sand and cement replacement
Bashar Taha *, Ghassan Nounu
Faculty of the Built Environment, University of the West of England, Bristol, Coldharbour Lane, Frenchay, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom
Received 26 October 2006; received in revised form 17 December 2006; accepted 31 January 2007
Available online 21 March 2007

Abstract
Mixed colour waste recycled glass is waste material that cannot be reused in glass industry. Concrete can be considered as an outlet for
the surplus quantities of the mixed colour waste recycled glass. This research work studies the feasibility of recycled glass sand (RGS) and
pozzolanic glass powder (PGP) in concrete as sand and cement replacement, respectively. Ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS)
and metakaolin (MK) were used in this study to replace Portland cement and investigate the eect of RGS on the behaviour and properties of concrete contains blend of dierent cementitious materials. Severe bleeding and segregation were observed when normal sand
was replaced by RGS and the plastic properties of the concrete undergo clear changes. However, the presence of the PGP in concrete
enhanced the plastic properties of concrete. No signicant dierences were observed in compressive strength of concrete with the presence of RGS in concrete, while an average reduction of 16% was occurred when 20% of the Portland cement was replaced by PGP. The
eects of utilising waste recycled glass as sand/cement replacement in concrete were further explored by applying dierent tests such as,
tensile splitting strength, exural strength, static modulus of elasticity and water absorption.
 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Waste recycled glass; Recycled glass sand; Pozzolanic glass powder

1. Introduction
Closed loop recycling is the best sustainable method to
re-use waste streams back into new production, as it will
create energy savings, reduce the demand on primary mineral resources and divert materials away from landll. Nevertheless, in some circumstances, waste streams can not be
re-used in the production of new materials, because of the
restrictions applied on the quality of raw materials, as in
the case of manufacturing of glass. Therefore, due to these
manufacturing criteria, the amount of waste glass will be
increased. Hence, nding alternative outlets to absorb the
rejected tonnes of post consumer waste recycled glass is
indeed a major worldwide concern [1]. In this regard, the
properties of waste recycled glass are such it will be potentially suitable to be re-used as an ingredient of concrete, as
*

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: bashar.taha@rta.ae (B. Taha).

0950-0618/$ - see front matter  2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2007.01.019

it has negligible water absorption value, excellent hardness

and abrasion resistance.
Using waste recycled glass as concrete component is relatively new technology that requires further studying and
investigation in order to promote this application and condently introduce the waste recycled glass to the construction market as an alternative for primary material. Over
the recent years, a substantial amount of research work
was carried out to exploit the potential use of waste or
recyclable materials in concrete as a solution for waste
materials problem, or to improve the properties of concrete
[24]. However, currently the percentage of the utilisation
of these materials in concrete is not at a desired level,
because of the lack in the information and outcomes for
these applications, in particular, the long term observations. Therefore, this subject requires intensive research
work to establish and dene the accurate characteristics
for recycled glass as sand/cement replacement in the concrete mix [5,6].

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B. Taha, G. Nounu / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 713720

2. Research signicance

5. Materials

The proposed study of utilising waste recycled glass in

concrete as sand/cement replacement oers important benets, both environmentally and economically. Recycling of
mixed-colour waste glass possesses major problems for
municipalities everywhere, and this problem can be greatly
eliminated by re-using waste glass as sand/cement replacement in concrete. Moreover, re-using waste materials in
construction can reduce the demand on the sources of primary materials.

The materials used in this study will be discussed in the

following sections.

3. Experimental programme
The programme was divided into two parts. The rst
part was studying the impact of the presence of waste recycled glass as sand/cement replacement on plastic properties
of concrete. In the second part, dierent tests were applied
to trace the impact of utilising RGS and PGP in concrete as
sand and cement replacement, respectively on the mechanical properties of the concrete.

5.1. Cement (CEM1)

Ordinary Portland cement (CEM1) had a strength class
42.5N according to the British standard BS EN 197 Part
1:2000 [15]. The alkali content (Na2Oeq) of the CEM1
was 0.58%.

5.2. Cement supplementary materials (GGBS and MK)

Two dierent types of these mineral additives were used
in this study as cement replacement, i.e. ground granulated
blastfurnace slag (GGBS) and metakaolin (MK) were used
to replace the CEM1 at 60% and 10%, respectively.

4. Tests details
5.3. Pozzolanic glass powder (PGP)
The tests applied in this study to investigate the eect of
utilising waste recycled glass as sand/cement replacement
on the properties of concrete are shown in Table 1.
Fig. 1 shows the groups of the concrete mixes.
Table 1
Plastic and mechanical properties tests
Plastic properties

Mechanical
properties

1. Visual inspection [7].

2. Consistency level and slump [8].
3. Wet density [9].

Very ne glass powder with an average size particle of

sub 45 lm was used as cement replacement. The PGP
was supplied by All Glass Ltd with an initial average particles size of sub 100 lm. The particle size of the glass powder was further reduced by using an air jet mill.

5.4. Natural aggregate

4. Compressive strength on 100 mm cubes [10].

5. Tensile splitting strength on 100 mm cubes [11].
6. Flexure strength on 100 100 500 mm prisms
[12].
7. Static modulus of elasticity on 100 100 300 mm
prisms [13].
8. Water absorption on cores extracted from
100 mm cubes [14].

a. Coarse aggregate: Natural limestone crushed rock

coarse aggregate from a local source was used
throughout this study.
b. Fine aggregate: Sea dredge sand (SDS) obtained from
a local source was used in this study.

Testing programme and concrete mixes groups

Group1.
100% CEM1
Control Mix

M1

(0% RGS)

Group2.
40% CEM1
60% GGBS

Group4.
80% CEM1
20% PGP

Group3.
90% CEM1
10% MK

(0% RGS)

M4

(0% RGS)

M2 (0% RGS)

M3

M1-1 (50% RGS)

M2-1 (50% RGS)

M3-1 (50% RGS)

M4-1 (50% RGS)

M1-2 (100% RGS)

M2-2 (100% RGS)

M3-2 (100% RGS)

M4-2 (100% RGS)

Fig. 1. Concrete group and sub-groups

B. Taha, G. Nounu / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 713720

6. Mix proportions

100

Passing (%)

80

715

100% SDS
100% RGS
50% SDS&50% RGS
BS Lower Boundary
BS Upper Boundary

Two levels of replacement of RGS were adopted in this

study to replace natural sand, namely 50% and 100%. Single
replacement of 20% was used for PGP to replace CEM1.
Four dierent groups of concrete mixes were prepared. Each
group was subdivided into three concrete mixes (Table 4).
The proportions of the concrete mix are shown in Table 5.

60

40

20

7. Findings and discussion

BS Limits

0
0.01

0.1

10

Sieve Size (mm)

The impact of the using RGS and PGP as sand and

cement replacement on the properties of plastic and hardened concrete will be discussed in the following sections.

Fig. 2. Sieve size analysis for SDS and RGS.

7.1. Plastic concrete

5.5. Recycled glass sand (RGS)
Mixed colour recycled glass sand (RGS) of particle size
less than 5 mm, supplied by Day Aggregate Ltd. was used
in this study without any treatment, washing or sorting.
The results of the sieve analysis for both sea dredged sand
(SDS) and recycled glass sand (RGS) are available in
Fig. 2, while the results of the relative density and water
absorption are shown in Table 2.
The chemical composition of the cementitious materials
(CEM1, GGBS, MK and PGP) and sands (SDS and RGS)
used in this study were obtained by using XRF (Table 3).
Table 2
Relative density and water absorption
Material

Relative density (ton/m3)

Water absorption (%)

Cement
CEM1
GGBS
MK
PGP

3.14
2.90
2.60
2.51

Aggregates

ODa

0.60
0.66

Fine aggregate (sand)

Sea dredge
2.60
Recycled glass
2.50

1.00
0.06

 The reduction in consistency and workability of the concrete mix was due to the sharp edges, harsh texture of
RGS.
 Severe bleeding and segregation were resulted from the
inherent smooth surface and very low water absorption
of RGS, both leaded to lack in adhesive bond between
the components of the concrete mix.
 Due to the lower density of the RGS compared to SDS,
the density of fresh concrete was reduced when RGS
was used as sand replacement.
 The consistency and plastic properties of the concrete
was negatively aected when RGS was used in the concrete due to the lack in nes in RGS.

SSDb

Coarse aggregate (crushed limestone)

20 mm
2.66
2.67
10 mm
2.66
2.68

As for the properties of plastic concrete, it was found

that the consistency and wet density of concrete were both
reduced as the content of RGS increased in concrete. Segregation and bleeding were both become clearly noticeable
with the presence of RGS in concrete (Table 6 and Figs. 3
and 4). These ndings can be due to the following reasons:

2.63
2.51

Contrary, it was found that the plastic properties of concrete were enhanced by using PGP as cement replacement
in the concrete mix. This refers to the improvement
occurred in the texture and shape properties of glass particle, as their size was further reduced below 45 lm. However, wet density of the concrete was slightly reduced due
to the lower density of PGP compared to CEM1.

OD: is the oven dry density.

SSD: is the saturated surface dry density.

Table 3
XRF chemical analysis
Materials

Oxide (%)

CaO

SiO2

Al2O3

Fe2O3

MgO

Na2O

K2O

TiO2

Mn2O3

SrO

P2O5

Cr2O3

Cement

CEM1
GGBS
MK
PGP

64.5
40.9
0.06
8.61

20.4
35.2
55.3
72.3

5.63
13.2
40.9
1.04

2.85
0.39
0.71
0.17

1.09
7.86
0.28
3.89

0.18
0.29
0.15
13.31

0.64
0.50
2.08
0.52

0.27
0.55
<0.05
<0.05

0.06
0.55
<0.05
<0.05

0.09
0.09
<0.05
<0.05

0.16
<0.05
0.15
<0.05

<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05

Sand

SDS
RGS

7.11
10.63

78.6
72.1

2.55
1.78

2.47
0.36

0.46
1.26

0.42
12.40

0.64
0.64

0.15
0.06

0.10
<0.05

<0.05
<0.05

0.09
<0.05

<0.05
0.09

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B. Taha, G. Nounu / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 713720

Table 4
Mixes groups and subgroups
Group ID

1-Control

2-GGBS

3-MK

4-PGP

Binder type

100%
CEM1

40% CEM1
60% GGBS

90% CEM1
10% MK

80% CEM1
20% PGP

M1
M1-1
M1-2

M2
M2-1
M2-2

M3
M3-1
M3-2

M4
M4-1
M4-2

RGS content
0%
50%
100%

year when RGS was used to replace the SDS (Figs. 58).
It can be concluded that there is no clear trend that governs
the variation in the compressive strength of concrete with
the presence of RGS. It can be concluded that there is more
than one parameter that can signicantly aect the behaviour of hardened concrete when RGS was used in the concrete mix, such as:
 Contamination and the organic content in RGS maybe
considered as one of the most important parameter as
it degrades with time and creates voids in the microstructure of concrete.
 The quality of cube making within the same mix will
aect the compressive strength.
 The inherent cracks in RGS particles existed due to the
crushing process applied on waste glass can be considered as a source of weakness.
 Bleeding and segregation will aect the handling and
casting of fresh concrete, and the properties of the
microstructure of the concrete.

Table 5
Concrete mix proportions for mechanical properties test
Cement
content (kg/m3)

440

w/c

SSD aggregate (kg/m3)

Free water
(l/m3)

0.38

Coarse

167.2

Fine

20 mm

10 mm

Sub 5 mm

690

390

760

7.2. Hardened concrete

The eects of utilising RGS/PGP as sand/cement
replacement on the properties of hardened concrete will
be discussed in the following sections.

As for the case of utilizing PGP to replace the CEM1 an

average reduction in the compressive strength of 16% was
observed when 20% of CEM1 was replaced by PGP
(Fig. 9). This can be a direct result of the change in the nature of the hydration products and CSH gel.

7.2.1. Compressive strength

The compressive strength of concrete mixes did not exhibit distinguished dierences during the test period of one
Table 6
Plastic properties of fresh concrete
RGS content (%)

Slump (mm)

Wet density (kg/m3)

Visual inspection

M1
M1-1
M1-2

0
50
100

120
95
80

2440
2430
2390

Consistent and homogenous

Homogenous but less consistent
Harsh, bleeding, and segregation

M2
M2-1
M2-2

0
50
100

130
70
75

2430
2440
2370

Very thick
Bleeding and very thick
Harsh, bleeding, segregation and very thick.

M3
M3-1
M3-2

0
50
100

80
80
50

2420
2410
2380

Homogenous
Less homogenous but no segregation
Harsh, bleeding, and segregation

M4
M4-1
M4-2

0
50
100

120
140
70

2410
2400
2380

Homogenous
Less homogenous but no segregation
Harsh, bleeding, and segregation

M4-1

Mix ID

30

Fig. 3. Eect of RGS content on slump and wet density.

M4-2

M4

M4-1

M3-2

M3

2.3

M3-1

M2-1
M2-2

M2
M1-2

M1
2.4

M1-1

M4-2

M3-1

M3

M2-2

M2-1

M3-2

60

M1-2

M1-1

Slump (mm)

120

90

Wet Density (100kg/m )

2.5

M4

M1

M2

150

B. Taha, G. Nounu / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 713720

0%

RGS Content
50%

0%

100%

RGS Content
50%

717

100%

2.5

160
3

Wet Density (Ton/m )

M4-1

Slump (mm)

130

M1

M4
M1-1

100

M1-2
M4-2

70

M1

M1-1
M4

M4-1

2.4

M1-2

M4-2

2.3

40

Compressive Strength (N/mm2)

28 Days Compressive Strength (N/mm )

Fig. 4. The Eect of PGP on slump and wet density.

120
100
80
60
40

M1
M1-1
M1-2

20
0
0

100

200

300

400

85

M1

75

M1-2
M1-1

65

Age (days) - Group 1 (Control)

Fig. 5. Eect of RGS on compressive strength Group 1 (Control).

70

28Days Compressive Strength

(N/mm2)

Compressive Strength
(N/mm2)

100
80
60
40

M2
M 2-1

20

M 2-2

60

M2-2

M2
M2-1

50
0

100

200

300

400

Age (days) - Group 2 (GGBS)

80

(N/mm2)

Compressive Strength

100

60
40

M3
M 3-1

20

M 3 -2

100

200

300

400

28 Days Compressive Strength (N/mm2)

Fig. 6. Eect of RGS on compressive strength Group 2 (GGBS).

95

85

M3
M3-1
M3-2

75

Age (days) - Group 3 (MK)

Fig. 7. Eect of RGS on compressive strength Group 3 (MK).

B. Taha, G. Nounu / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 713720

28 Days Compressive Strength (N/mm2)

718

Compressive Strength
(N/mm2)

100
80
60
40

M4
M4-1
M4-2

20
0
0

100

200

300

400

75

65
M4

M4-1

M4-2

55

Age (days) - Group 4 (PGP)

Fig. 8. Eect of RGS on compressive strength Group 4 (PGP).

RGS Content
50%

 The inherent smooth and plane surface of large RGS

particles which may weaken the bond between the
cement paste and glass particles.

100%

90

M1

The tensile splitting strength of concrete was notably

reduced when both PGP and RGS were used in the same
concrete mix, while there were no dierences observed in
the results of exural strength of concrete even when
RGS and PGP were both used in the same concrete mix.

M1-2

M1-1

70
M4-1

M4

M4-2

60

50

Fig. 9. Eect of PGP on compressive strength at 28 days.

7.2.2. Tensile splitting strength and exural strength

Tensile splitting strength and exural strength were both
reduced with the presence of RGS in concrete (Figs. 10 and
11), due to the following mere hypothesis:
 Lack in compaction due to the inconstancy of concrete
contains RGS compared to reference mix.
 Poor concrete quality, because of the severe bleeding
and segregation.
 Inherent cracks in RGS particles, which tend to make it
more breakable within the concrete matrix compared to
natural sand.
 Contamination, foreign materials and organic content
maybe degrade with time and create voids in concrete
microstructure.

7.2.3. Static modulus of elasticity Ec

Test results did not show a clear trend that can identify the
eect of RGS and PGP on the static modulus of elasticity of
concrete (Fig. 12). Therefore, it can be concluded that for the
same concrete mix, the main parameter that governs the static modulus of elasticity is the quality of concrete specimen.
7.2.4. Water absorption of concrete
Glass by nature is an impermeable material. Therefore, it
could be considered that the presence of glass particles in
concrete can reduce the permeability of the concrete mix.
Hence, it was found that the amount of the absorbed water
in concrete was reduced as the content of RGS was increased
in concrete. Moreover, due to negligible water absorption
value of the glass, the presence of RGS in concrete will reduce
the total demand for water absorption, stop the continuity of
the microcracks inside the concrete, and restrict the migration of moisture and ions inside the concrete (Fig. 13).
RGS Content
50%

M3

10

6
5

M4-2

M4
M4-1

M2-2

M2
M2-1

M1-1

M1-2

M3-2

M3-1

M1

Tensile Splitting Strength (N/m m )

0%

Tensile Splitting Strength (N/m m )

80

(N/mm )

28 Days Comprresive Strength

0%

100%

10
9
8
M1

M4

M1-1

M1-2

7
M4-1

6
5

Fig. 10. Eect of RGS and PGP on tensile splitting strength.

M4-2

B. Taha, G. Nounu / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 713720

RGS Content
50%

10

M4-1

M4-2

M3-2

M4

M3-1

M3

M2-2

M2-1

M2

M1-2

M1

8
7

Flexural Strength (N/mm )

10

M1-1

Flexural Strength (N/mm )

0%

4
3

719

100%

8
7

M1

M4
M1-1

M4-1
M4-2

M1-2

5
4
3

Fig. 11. Eect of RGS and PGP on exural strength.

RGS Content
50%

0%

M4-2

M4-2

50
M1-2

M1

Ec (N/mm )

M3-2

M4

M2-2

M2-1

M4-1

M1-1

M2

45

M3-1

M1-2

M1

Ec (N/mm )

50

100%

55

M3

55

M4

45
M1-1

40

40

35

35

M4-1

Fig. 12. Eect of RGS and PGP on the static modulus of elasticity Ec.

0%

Water Absorption (%)

M4-2

M4-1

M4
M3-2

M3-1

M3

M2-2

M2-1

M2

M1-2

M1-1

1.5

100%

2.5

M1

Water Absorption (%)

2.5

RGS Content
50%

M1

M4

M1-1

M4-1
M4-2
M1-2

1.5

Fig. 13. Eect of RGS and PGP on water absorption of concrete.

Adversely, the presence of PGP as cement replacement

in concrete increases the water absorption demand of concrete. This maybe due to the dierences occurred in the nature of the microstructure of concrete mix and hydration
product due to the presence of PGP in concrete.
8. Conclusions
There is more than one parameter that can signicantly
aect the behaviour of plastic hardened concrete when
RGS and PGP were used in concrete, such as:

1. Due to the inherent smooth surface and negligible water

absorption of glass particles, the presence of RGS in
concrete will reduce the consistency of the concrete
mix and adhesive bond of the ingredients inside the concrete mix. Therefore, severe bleeding and segregation
were observed when natural sand was replaced by waste
recycled glass sand, and plastic properties of the concrete mix undergo notable changes.
2. The smooth and plane surface of the large recycled glass
particles can signicantly weaken the bond between the
cement paste and the glass particles.

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B. Taha, G. Nounu / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 713720

3. The contamination, residues and organic content in the

waste recycled glass sand can be considered as disadvantageous as it may degrade with time and create voids in
the micro-structure of the concrete.
4. The quality of cube making within the same mix was signicantly aected by the presence of the RGS and PGP
in concrete.
5. The inherent cracks in the recycled glass sand particles
resulted from the crushing process of recycled glass in
order to reduce the glass particle can be considered as
a source of weakness and can reduce the strength of
the concrete.
6. The presence of the RGS in concrete reduces its compaction compared to the control mix. Therefore, the
strength of the concrete will be negatively aected.
7. As an impermeable material, the recycled glass sand can
reduce the permeability of the concrete mix and may
enhance its durability and restrict the migration of the
water and ions inside the concrete matrix.
8. The texture properties of the glass particle can be
improved by reducing the size of the particles to very
ne powder.
9. The function of the glass particle will change from inert
mineral i.e. aggregate, to reactive pozzolanic mineral
that can be used as cement replacement in concrete
when the size of the particle is reduced to very ne
powder.

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