Integrating micro- and nanowaste glass with waste foundry sand in ultra-high-performance concrete to enhance material performance and sustainability

Abstract The utilization of waste glass with micro- and nanoparticles in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has garnered significant interest due to its potential to enhance sustainability and material performance. This study focuses on the implications of integrating microwaste glass (MG) and nanowaste glass in the presence of waste foundry sand and its impact on the properties of UHPC. The particular emphasis of the current work is on compressive strength, tensile strength, sorptivity, and microstructure. It is found that MG enhances compressive strength, decreased tensile strength, reduced sorptivity, and a more compact microstructure. The results indicate that replacing cement with 20% microglass achieves the optimal compressive strength by increasing up to 11.6% at 7 days, 9.5% at 28 days, and 10.18% at 56 days. Nanowaste glass, owing to its increased reactivity and larger surface area, accelerates calcium silicate hydrate formation and improves compressive strength. At the same time, the effective utilization of nanowaste glass improves long-term resilience with an optimum compressive strength at 1.5% replacement ratios of 17.5, 18.9, and 16% at 7, 28, and 56 days, respectively. Splitting tensile strength increased by 16% at 20% MG and 21% at 1.5% nanowaste glass, respectively. Utilizing MG and nanowaste glass in UHPC with waste foundry sand is a promising method for boosting material performance and minimizing environmental impact.