An Experimental Study on Flexural Behaviors of Reinforced Concrete Member Replaced Heavyweight Waste Glass as Fine Aggregate under Cyclic Loading

Abstract

The development of electronic technology has accelerated in recent decades. Consequently, electronic wastes such as cathoderay tube (CRT) glass are accumulated, and hazardous wastes including heavy metals are generated. Simultaneously, natural resources are required to create concrete; however, they are already exhausted. Furthermore, heavyweight waste glass is considered to be the most suitable substitute for aggregate owing to its physical characteristics and chemical composition. However, structural results regarding the recycling of heavyweight waste glass as fine aggregate in Reinforced Concrete (RC) members are insufficient. Thus, herein, experimental study is conducted to evaluate whether RC members with heavyweight waste glass as fine aggregate can be applied for concrete structures. Flexural behavior tests of reinforced concrete members were performed. Fifteen specimens with different substitution ratios of heavyweight waste glass were prepared. The results showed that when all the fine aggregate is replaced by heavyweight waste glass in RC members, the heavyweight waste glass substitution ratio affected the crack occurrence patterns, and the possibility of a sudden failure of a member increased owing to concrete crushing in the compression zone. Additionally, the load capacity and flexural rigidity were affected by the substitution ratio of heavyweight waste glass; however, the flexural performance is improved when mineral admixture as a binder or a low water-binder ratio were used. Therefore, heavyweight waste glass is considered applicable for use as fine aggregate of concrete.