Exploration of Non-Biodegradable Materials in Concrete Production for University Building in Nigeria

Construction industry presents an attractive market for the use of non-biodegradable materials, because one of the principal components ofconstruction is concrete, due to its high compressive strength. Incorporatingwaste glass as coarse aggregate in structural concrete has the potential tonot only produce environmental benefits in the reduction of landfill, but toalso reduce costs for university building in Nigeria. This paper described theinfluence of coarse glass on the fresh, hardened properties of concrete andcompare to the control (0%) and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)with Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Coarse aggregate (gavel) waspartial replacement with coarse glass aggregates at 5%, 10%, 15% and20%. Tests are conducted in compliance with British Standard (BS). Mixratio 1:2.5:3.5 (cement: fine aggregate: coarse aggregate) was used with0.50 water/cement ratio to produce grade 25 concrete at 28 days. Resultsshowed that slump decreases with increase in coarse glass. 10% partialreplacement has good compression of 31.18 N/mm2after 28 days and SEManalysis showed he portion of cracking and bonding effect which denoted theexistence of Calcium Silicate Hydrates (C-S-H gel) and Calcium Hydroxide(CH). Therefore, glasscrete showed potential for becoming an additionalsustainable solution for waste recycling.