Innovative Concrete Composites: Assessing Mechanical Strength with Fly Ash, Glass, and Granite Waste Incorporation

Abstract

Waste management poses a significant challenge for countries in both current and future contexts. The generation of solid waste from various industries, such as stone, glass, coal, and tires, constitutes a major issue in India, leading to significant environmental and health concerns for the surrounding population. This study addresses these challenges by exploring the utilization of waste granite and glass powder as materials to replace sand and cement, respectively, with the addition of 20% fly ash. Waste granite powder was sourced from the stone industry, while glass powder was obtained from discarded glass bottles, windows, and jars. Different proportions of waste granite (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) were utilized as a replacement for sand, and varying percentages of glass (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) were used as a substitute for cement. The workability of both control and blended mixes was assessed using the slump cone test. Mechanical properties were examined through tests measuring compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength. Durability performances were evaluated based on porosity, water absorption, and the rapid chloride penetration test. The results indicated that the mechanical properties of the concrete were significantly enhanced due to the pozzolanic and filler effects of glass and granite fines. The introduction of glass and granite powder led to a reduction in porosity and water absorption, attributed to the improved packing density of the concrete. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that a blend containing 15% glass powder, 30% granite powder, and 20% fly ash in Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) demonstrated favorable properties. This suggests a promising avenue for sustainable and efficient waste utilization in the construction industry.