Grantee Research Project Results
Recycled Glass: Cement/Fly Ash Substitute in CLSM
EPA Grant Number: SU839469Title: Recycled Glass: Cement/Fly Ash Substitute in CLSM
Investigators: Solanki, Pranshoo , Jin, Guang , Bierma, Tom
Institution: Illinois State University
EPA Project Officer: Callan, Richard
Phase: I
Project Period: December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2019 (Extended to June 1, 2020)
Project Amount: $15,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2018) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality
Objective:
To reduce air pollution by significantly increasing the use of recycled glass as a substitute for Portland cement and fly ash in concrete projects. Use of recycled glass currently faces a number of barriers. This project investigates the use of recycled glass in a unique construction material (controlled low-strength material, CLSM) that has the potential to overcome these barriers and accelerate broader adoption of recycled glass as a cement/fly ash substitute. The specific objectives of Phase I are to determine the relationships between three input material (recycled glass) parameters and four product (CLSM) performance measures. These relationships will allow CLSM users and producers to specify mixes that will reliably meet construction project objectives. The use of recycled glass as a cement/fly ash substitute would not only prevent air pollution from Portland cement production, it would also benefit local recycling programs and help limit costs for concrete products. It is expected to be particularly helpful in rural areas where transportation costs create high prices for cement and fly ash as well as poor local markets for recycled glass.
Approach:
This research will investigate the relationship between three recycled glass parameters and three CLSM performance measures so that glass-containing CLSM can be reliably specified for construction projects. The research will use laboratory-based performance tests on a set of CLSM cylindrical specimens using standard molding and testing methods. The use of recycled glass as a substitute for cement/fly ash would prevent air pollution from Portland cement production, improve community recycling programs (particularly for glass), provide economic benefit to communities by limiting costs for cement products (particularly in rural areas) and potentially provide new jobs through increased glass recycling, glass cleaning, and glass milling. The project will contribute to P3 education on campus through the direct involvement of students as well as from publicity to the campus and community. I addition, the communities of Normal, Illinois, and Durango, Colorado, have expressed interest in collaborating on the project.
Expected Results:
The primary outputs of this project are a set of quantitative relationships between three recycled glass parameters and three CLSM performance measures. The most immediate outcome from the project would be the specification of glass-based CLSM in one or more local construction projects. We plan to work with our partner communities to include recycled glass specifications in future CLSM applications. We also plan to work with our business partners to determine opportunities for using our research results to reduce costs for producing recycled glass powder. As users and producers of concrete gain experience with recycled glass, the ultimate outcome would be the broader acceptance and use of recycled glass as a cement/fly ash substitute in concrete projects.
Contribution to Pollution Prevention or Control: The use of recycled glass as a cement/fly ash substitute in concrete products would prevent air pollution from Portland cement production, including emissions of NOx, SOx, particulates, carbon monoxide, arsenic, mercury, dioxin/furans, and carbon dioxide. It would also enhance local recycling programs and potentially increase recycling of glass.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
pozzolan, flowable fill, glass powderProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.