WTI

Use of Fly Ash Concrete with Recycled Glass Aggregate in Commercial Construction

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. A Green Gem in the Treasure State - Project Uses Concrete Mix with 100 Percent Fly Ash
   1. Doug Cross, Jerry Stephens, Mike Berry
   2. 4W1830_Project_Summary_Article.pdf

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to facilitate the use of innovative fly ash based concretes produced with pulverized recycled glass as the aggregate in a variety of applications on a green building project in Missoula, MT.

Project Abstract

MMW Architects from Missoula, MT, approached investigators at WTI about using an innovative concrete material in a commercial building project to help them achieve the highest feasible LEED rating for their project. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the United States Green Building Council, provides a quantitative measure of a project’s performance relative to human and environmental health. Part of a project’s rating is based on the characteristics of the materials from which it is constructed, with points being awarded for the use of recycled and locally available materials. Surprisingly, an attractive material in this regard may be concrete; notably, concrete made with an alternate binder to traditional Portland cement and recycled aggregates. For this project (a new banking facility in Missoula, MT), the focus is on characterizing the engineering and long term durability performance of a 100% “green” concrete made with recycled crushed glass as the aggregate and a high calcium class C fly ash as the binder. This approach is unique; much of the existing and current research on fly ash in concrete focuses on partial replacement of Portland cement, not 100% replacement.

Task Descriptions

1. Mix design
   1. Develop two distinct mix designs that consist of fly ash as the binder and pulverized glass as the aggregate. Test mix designs for workability, set time, and rate of strength gain.
2. Durability
   1. Conduct accelerated long term durability testing for both mix designs. Test both mix designs resistance to long term durability concerns related to alkali-silica reactivity and saturated freeze thaw conditions.
3. Structural
   1. Conduct laboratory tests on simple beam elements made with this concrete to more fully characterize their strength and ductility.
4. Field Trials
   1. Conduct full scale field trials using the mixing and placing equipment as well as finishing techniques that are intended to be used in the actual construction process.
5. Construction
   1. This task will consist of working with the ready mix producer and the concrete contractor to ensure that all concrete on the project is of high quality, and subsequently being available onsite when construction begins to address any technical issues that may arise.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

False

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Fly Ash Concrete, Glass Aggregate, Green Concrete

Partners

MMW Architects, Montana Department of Environmental Quality