USE OF GLASS WASTE IN MORTARS

a sustainable alternative with partial replacement of cement and fine aggregate

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5752/P.2236-0603.2026v13n26p100-110

Keywords:

Glass recycling, Decarbonization, Sustainability, Pozzolanicity, Construction

Abstract

This study evaluates the feasibility of using waste glass as a partial replacement for mortar constituents to promote sustainability and reduce natural resource consumption in construction. Three mortar mixtures were produced: a reference mixture, a mixture with 25% of the cement replaced by finely ground glass, and a mixture with 50% of the fine aggregate replaced by crushed glass. The waste glass was collected from a glass shop, ground, and processed to achieve the required particle size distribution. Specimens were cast in accordance with standard procedures and tested for compressive strength, water absorption, and void content. The reference mortar exhibited a compressive strength of 20.7 MPa, water absorption of 10.21%, and void content of 20.60%. The mortar with 50% fine aggregate replacement exhibited values of 19.7 MPa, 9.95%, and 20.34%, respectively. The mortar with 25% cement replacement achieved 26.7 MPa, 9.35%, and 19.46%, representing a 29.0% increase in compressive strength compared with the reference mixture. The performance index with Portland cement was 129%, indicating pozzolanic activity. The results demonstrate the potential of ground glass as a partial replacement for cement, contributing to the development of more sustainable construction practices.

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References

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Published

2026-09-23