In a significant stride towards sustainable construction practices, a recent systematic review has illuminated the potential of waste glass powder as a partial substitute for cement in concrete. Conducted by Oualid Semmana from the Civil Engineering Department at the Institute for Basic Science, Technology and Innovation, Pan African University in Nairobi, Kenya, this research offers vital insights that could reshape the concrete industry.
Concrete is ubiquitous in construction, yet its primary ingredient, cement, poses substantial environmental challenges, including resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions. The review, published in ‘Engineering Reports,’ highlights how incorporating glass powder (GP) can mitigate these issues while enhancing concrete’s performance. Semmana notes, “An optimal GP substitution level of 10%–20% not only improves durability but also contributes to a more resilient concrete mix, which is crucial in today’s construction landscape.”
The findings reveal that GP significantly boosts concrete’s resistance to various environmental stressors, such as chloride permeability and sulfuric acid attack. This is largely due to GP’s micro-filling ability, which reduces porosity and facilitates a pozzolanic reaction that generates a secondary calcium silicate hydrate gel, enhancing binding strength. However, the review also cautions that exceeding a 25%–30% substitution rate could lead to decreased compressive strength due to reduced flowability and increased porosity.
For the construction sector, these insights present a compelling case for adopting GP as an eco-friendly and cost-effective additive. As the industry grapples with the dual pressures of performance and sustainability, the ability to use waste materials not only aligns with green building practices but also offers economic advantages. “The transition towards using materials like glass powder is not just beneficial for the environment; it can also lead to significant cost savings in material procurement and waste management,” Semmana adds.
This research not only consolidates existing knowledge but also opens avenues for further exploration. The emphasis on optimizing GP content and exploring synergies with other materials suggests a pathway to enhance concrete resilience across diverse applications. As the construction industry continues to evolve, embracing sustainable practices will be paramount, and innovations like these could play a critical role in shaping its future.
For more information on this groundbreaking research, you can visit the Institute for Basic Science, Technology and Innovation.