Engineering and Life Cycle Assessment of Activated Recycled Glass-Based Concretes

Currently, significant quantities of recycled glass containers are stockpiled due to prohibitive transportation costs between collection points and glass melting facilities. The objective of this research is to utilize this waste material as a replacement of eco-negative portland cement in high-performance and environmentally efficient concrete materials. The research (1) performs a multi-scale investigation of the reactivity of soda-lime glass in alkaline-calcium environments to significantly enhance the pozzolanic reactivity of glass using optimized chemical and physical treatments; (2) explores the link between pozzolanic and alkali-silica reactions and the role of calcium in altering these reactions; and (3) conducts comprehensive environmental and economical life-cycle assessments to allow quantitative comparisons of the cost and eco-impact of glass-based concretes with those of conventional portland cement and fly ash concretes. This collaborative effort between Penn State and Carnegie Mellon universities leads to a new approach in integrating detailed environmental and economic analysis with design and engineering of green materials to determine the best choices for material processing and proportioning while ensuring the sustainability of new products and technologies. The research findings will have broader impacts on improving the durability and eco-efficiency of concrete infrastructure by more effective use of pozzolanic materials and advancing the knowledge on the mechanism of alkali-silica reaction and its mitigation techniques (which will be applicable to natural reactive aggregates). Integration of research and education is accomplished by (a) development of course modules (disseminated through the online library of Center for Sustainable Engineering) for civil engineers on applying environmental life cycle assessment methods, as well as designing and testing non-portland cement concretes; and (b) organizing a summer camp to attract prospective female students to education and careers in civil engineering through a project-based learning experience.