Waste glass aggregate for cementitious and polymer concrete

Glass waste is produced in considerable amounts annually. Due to the disadvantageous nature of its recycling process, its reuse gains importance. Given the high reactivity level of glass-incorporating mixtures, the reuse of waste glass as aggregate in polymer concrete was investigated. Polymer concrete mixtures, including unsaturated polyester resin, hardener and accelerator, waste glass aggregate (up to 8 mm) and glass fabrics, were prepared for the investigation of mechanical properties. The composite specimens were reinforced by means of glass fabrics in various types (woven or mat), amounts (single or double layer) and orientation (perpendicular or parallel to loading direction). The mechanical properties of polymer concretes were tested for flexural tensile strength and compressive strength. In addition, thermal conductivity and residual strength after elevated temperatures were determined. It was concluded that these composites with easy preparation techniques have superior mechanical and thermal insulation properties compared with their counterparts available for use and their mechanical properties were mainly affected by the amount, type and orientation of the glass fabric reinforcement.