Researchers develop new glass aggregates

Rubber polymers and fly-ash to improve glass-derived aggregates, in concrete

In Canada, researchers from University of British Columbia found a way of combining a water-based rubber polymer, fly ash and glass powder, in order to control alkali-silica reactions that were limiting the potential of glass-derived aggregate in concrete, according to Concrete Products. 

ÔÇ£Every year, millions of tons of glass bypass recycling centers and end up in North American landfills,ÔÇØ said professor Shahria Alam.  Researcher Anant Parghi added that "By partially replacing cement with polymer, fly ash and glass powder, we were able to produce concrete that was more than 60 percent stronger than what was previously believed possibleÔÇØ. 

Although the product still requires additional testing, the researchers are confindent that they could replace up to 25 percent of aggregate materials with glass.