Alkali-silica reaction and strength of concrete with pretreated glass particles as fine aggregates

In this study, the strength and alkali-silica reaction (ASR) of concrete by incorporating pretreated soda-lime glass particles as fine aggregates were investigated. The glass aggregates were pretreated with three different solutions: Ca(OH)₂, NaOH, and a mixture of Ca(OH)₂ and NaOH. The glass aggregates were pretreated for 1, 4, and 7 days to investigate the time-dependent effect. Results show that the ASR was mitigated in all pretreatments. The effect was more noticeable with pretreatment in a mixed solution. The effect increased with an increase in pretreatment time. The ASR expansion was reduced by approximately 50% by pretreating the glass aggregate in the mixed solution at 80 °C for 7 days. Moreover, pretreatment of the glass aggregate was beneficial for strength improvement. For example, by pretreating the glass aggregate in the Ca(OH)₂ solution at 80 °C for 7 days, the 28-day compressive strength demonstrated an approximate 6% increment compared with the specimen with non-pretreated glass aggregates.