Assessing the Performance of Recycled Glass Pozzolana on Properties of Concrete with Palm Kernel Shell as Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate

Abstract

The cost of concrete products keeps increasing due to the increasing cost of cement and crushed granite stone as they are the most commonly used binding agent and aggregate  in Ghana. Hence, there is the need to exploit properties of glass powder as pozzolana in concrete and palm kennel shell as alternative aggregates to reduce cost and effect of waste they generate on the environment. This study investigated the potential use of recycled glass as pozzolana in ordinary Portland cement concrete and palm kernel shell as partial replacement for aggregate; specifically looked at particle size distribution, optimum percentages of glass powder pozzolana needed and physical/mechanical properties of concrete with 25% palm kernel shell and varying percentages (0% to 25%) of recycled glass powder as partial replacement of coarse aggregate and cement respectively. Laboratory experimental methods were used to investigate the properties of grade C25 mix design concrete. The concrete cubes cast were cured in water for 28 days. Tests included density, fresh concrete workability, water absorption and compressive strength. The results indicated that the maximum compressive strength of concrete occurred around 15% recycled glass powder replacement and then reduced thereafter. There was increased workability of concrete with increased percentage of recycled glass powder and the slump for 5% - 25% recycled glass powder replacement was higher than the control mix (MC). The use of glass powder as pozzolana in concrete can therefore be encouraged to reduce the generation of glass waste which causes environmental nuisance; however, its usage should not exceed 15% cement replacement.