Development of Concrete Bricks with Optical Fibers and Waste Glass as Aggregates

Abstract

With rapid ongoing development in the field of construction, the demand for construction materials is ever growing. Concrete is the most used material in almost all forms of construction and has a huge impact on the further innovation & developments in the field of construction. As we take mega steps towards development, there cometh along the issues of global warming and pollution. On an average construction industry is assumed to be among the top contributors to the pollution in the world. As we march towards goals of further development, with keeping in mind the perspective of sustainability, it becomes important to incorporate it into the roots of the construction industry. Hence, concrete nowadays is developed / composed of waste materials as additives or substitutes to make it more sustainable and eco-friendly. One such type materials are waste glass which is available in bulk quantity and is not recycled completely in India. As the glass is majorly composed of silica and it exhibits properties of a pozzolanic material. On the other hand, the addition of plastic optical fibers (POF) can also add light transmission property to the concrete and therefore add aesthetical value to the eco-friendly concrete. Forming Concrete in the shape of a brick which is composed of waste and has the property of light transmission can be a product for the future. The general trend for durability and strength properties of concrete on the usage of waste glass is positive, whereas addition of fibers tends to reduce the strength of concrete due to its non-binding behavior. The waste glass can be partially replaced / added as a fine as well as coarse aggregate and the plastic optical fibers are added in the range of 3-5% of the total volume.