An experimental investigation of the performance and pore structure of pervious concrete prepared from waste glass

Abstract

Massive pile-up of waste glass and extreme shortage of mineral resources have caused increasingly prominent environmental and social problems, while the development and application of pervious concrete (PC) are restricted by its low mechanical properties. This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of PC using waste glass powder (WGP) and waste glass sand (WGS), and conducts a synergistic optimization design for various performance indicators of PC. The study shows that the addition of WGP weakens the permeability and deformation performance of PC, while improving its mechanical properties. The optimal WGP content is 20 %. The addition of WGS reduces the permeability of PC while improving its deformation performance and mechanical properties. Based on comprehensive evaluation of PC performance indicators, the following recommendations are proposed: For coarse aggregates with particle sizes of 4.75–9.5 mm, 20 % WGP and 15 % WGS are recommended to achieve a flexural-tensile strength of 5.1 MPa (>4.5 MPa) and a permeability coefficient of 1.64 mm/s, which is suitable for medium-load pavements. For coarse aggregates with particle sizes of 9.5–16 mm, 20 % WGP and 15 %–20 % WGS are recommended to attain a flexural-tensile strength >3.5 MPa and a permeability coefficient >0.5 mm/s, which is applicable to light-load pavements. All parameters meet the technical requirements of the Specifications for Design of Highway Cement Concrete Pavement (JTG D40-2011). This study achieves efficient reuse of waste glass resources in PC, effectively enhances the mechanical properties of materials, promotes circular economy development in the PC industry, while reducing solid waste accumulation and mitigating environmental impacts from traditional building material production.