Utilization of Waste Glass Powder in Cement Mortar

Every year, millions of tons of waste glass are generated all over the world and disposed in landfills. Utilization of this waste by substituting a certain share of cement in cement mortars can contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution in two aspects: the utilization of waste and the reduction of the cement content in cement-based mortars. The cement industry is responsible for approximately 6% of global CO2 emissions. Seven different mortar mixes, containing between 0% and 30% of waste glass powder added by weight of cement, were analyzed. The following physical and mechanical properties of the mortar mixes were measured: compressive strength, flexural strength, and density. The test results revealed that waste glass powder can be used in small amounts in cement-based mortars to reduce the amount of cement and to utilize waste glass. A higher performance, modified cement-based mortar can be produced for civil engineering applications by replacing 5% with waste glass powder. The linear regression equations obtained illustrate the relationships between the density and compressive strength, and between density and flexural strength at 28 days.