Concrete with Fluorescent Lamp Waste Glass Suspension

The accumulation of non-recyclable waste glass in the plants without being used represents two major problems: a solid waste disposal and a negative impact to the environment. Borosilicate glass (DRL) and leaden silicate glass (LB) remaining after fluorescence lamp utilization is the waste which is not possible to recycle by traditional methods due to specific chemical composition. It causes a problem for glass disposal because glass is not biodegradable and landfill is not the best environment friendly solution for it. Using fluorescent waste glass as micro filler which partially substitute cement in concrete is a good way to solve these problems. In present study was investigated: the possibility to increase the fineness of fluorescent waste glass powder as micro filler by its additional grinding in water environment with water/glass (160/90 and 125/125) weight proportions and influence on concrete’s compressive strength by incorporating waste glass powder suspension into the mix. Fourteen different concrete mixes with additionally ground DRL and LB waste glass powders and powder suspensions were prepared. The particle grading of waste glass suspension was determined by Laser diffraction method. The best obtained particle size was in range from 0,6 μm to 11 μm with average grain size 5 μm. The concrete specimens were tested at the age of 7, 28, 56, 84 and 112 days. The most prospective results were obtained using additionally 30&90 minutes DRL ground glass powder and DRL glass suspensions made within 90 minutes, especially DRL suspension with water/glass weight proportion 160/90 shown the highest result at the age of 112 days of 83,7MPa. However, LB waste glass mixes showed lower results in comparison to control mix, there were observed improvements for mixes with additional grinding for 90 minutes of glass powder with compressive strength result of 66 MPa at the age of 112 days and suspension LB suspension with water/glass weight proportion 125/125 with compressive strength of 68,1 MPa.