Researcher explores using waste glass instead of sand for construction applications
Marie Donlon | September 11, 2019
Source: University of QueenslandIn an effort to preserve sand — which is reportedly one of the world’s most used natural resources — a researcher from the University of Queensland in Australia has devised a method for reducing its use, particularly in the construction industry.
Geotechnical engineering student and Ph.D candidate Danish Kazmi has turned to crushed waste glass to act as a sand alternative for ground improvement methods and other construction-related applications.
Inspired by the roughly one million tonnes of waste glass reportedly stockpiled in Australia alone each year, Kazmi believes that the material offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to sand because both materials have similar chemical compositions. As such, Kazmi expected the waste glass to behave similarly to sand, particularly when used in geotechnical construction applications.
"My research looks at the performance of waste glass within ground columns as an environmentally friendly alternative to sand columns that are commonly used at the moment.
"These waste glass columns are designed to strengthen the earth below a building and improve its load-bearing characteristics," Kazmi explained.
Kazmi’s research revealed that waste glass not only preserved sand resources as was the goal, but also promoted closed loop recycling as waste glass is non-biodegradable with limited end use possibilities. The research also revealed that using glass waste in lieu of sand also reduced the construction industry’s carbon footprint.
Preliminarily, it certainly sounds like a course of action worthy of further investigation.
However, I notice that there was no mention of previous studies that showed how comparable (net waste plass) granules compared to typically-used sand grains, in regards to workability, crushability, general durability, chemical compatibility with typical asphalts and concretes, etc.? (not to mention the economics of it.)
Has there been a pilot program completed yet?
Like so many things, the final ''proof'' will be in the final ''pudding''... I hope it works out. Good luck, in any case.
In reply to #1
Please forgive my miss-spelling of ''glass'' as ''plass''. (Yes, I will write it correctly on ''on the board one hundred times'' ... )
Just exactly what are the specific ground conditions with which to be dealt?
Since glass is made from sand (and other mineral products), it only seems natural. I went to my local landfill once to find out what they're doing with the crushed glass (as I had a use for it) and they were very eager to talk to me. Unfortunately they don't grind it fine enough for abrasive blasting (need particles about the size of BB's).