Recycled glass utilization as binder for 3D concrete printing

• Main Author: Lee, Nicholas Guo Feng
• Other Authors: Tan Ming Jen
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2020
• Subjects: Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/141037
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Greenhouse gas, a by-product from the production of cement, is primarily responsible for the eminent phenomenon of global warming. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) are explored in efforts to replace cement as a binder for concrete production through pozzolanic reactions. Apart from the environmental concerns as posed by the production of cement, recycled glass has also been a major issue in the harming the environmental through its method of disposal. Given its amorphous structure in its natural state with high content of silica, the incorporation of fine recycled glass powders as a SCM can induce pozzolanic activity for the production of concrete. Furthermore, technological advancements have pushed forth the usage of 3D concrete printing (3DCP) in various construction applications. In this report, the feasibility of utilizing recycled glass as a binder for 3DCPis examined. Although various studies have been conducted to analyse the usage of recycled glass as a binder, there has been a lack of focus on material’s rheological properties and its capability of being 3D printed. Despite the results showing that the mechanical strength for concretes containing recycled glass as binders to be lower than conventional concrete, the former possesses greater buildability capabilities than the latter in 3DCP applications. This report has also shown the requirement of an appropriate balance between the contradicting buildability and pumpability properties of the mortar in consideration for 3DCP. Further elaboration of a design mix that yields desirable mechanical and rheological properties have also been stated in this report. Future work and recommendations include improving the rate of pozzolanic activity and the introduction of additives to improve on the recycled glass concrete’s 3DCP capabilities.