Chemical characterization and performance optimization of waste glass-modified concrete for sustainable construction

Abstract

Concrete, a widely utilized material for constructing various structural elements, relies on cement in its manufacturing process. Cement production hurts the environment as its an energy-consume process that generates a considerable amount of carbon footprint, This influences water purity, vegetation vitality, and neighboring communities' well-being, causing environmental degradation; industrial operations added to air, water, and noise pollution intensify climate change and ecological imbalances. This study investigates the potential of incorporating waste glass into concrete to improve its mechanical properties and address environmental concerns. It examines the effects of different chemical compositions of glass powder on predicted outputs, such as compressive strength and splitting tensile strength. Factors including water-to-binder ratio, cement content, and glass powder replacement percentages are analyzed across various ranges. The study evaluates the impact of Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ content in glass powder and considers parameters such as fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, superplasticizers, and curing time. Results show a gradual reduction in compressive strength with an increasing Al₂O₃/Fe₂O₃ ratio while splitting tensile strength increases. Based on compressive strength measurements, a correlation model was developed to predict flexural strength. Multiple variables models were employed for output prediction, and various criteria were used to assess model performance.