Effect of Pozzolanic Cement and Ground Glass Waste on Alkali–Silica Reaction of Mortar

The article examines the use of pozzolanic cement and ground glass waste in mortar and their influence on physical and mechanical properties and resistance to the alkali–silica reaction (ASR). The materials used and the research methods used to determine the main properties of mortar are described. CEM II/A-P 52.5 N pozzolanic cement with ash additive, 0/4 fraction sand, and ground glass waste was used for the tests. The resistance of mortar to the ASR was determined according to the developments using the RILEM AAR-2 methodology. Seven mortar compositions were studied, in which cement was replaced with glass processing waste in the amounts of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% of the cement mass. The effect of the amount of pozzolanic cement and glass waste on the following mortar properties was studied: density, ultrasonic pulse propagation velocity, compressive and flexural strengths, and ASR. A comparison of the physical and mechanical properties of mortar before and after ASR tests was performed. It was found that by modifying mortar with ground glass, i.e., by replacing pozzolanic cement with 5% to 10% ground glass waste, it is possible to reduce the amount of cement in the mortar, increase resistance to the alkali–silica reaction, and at the same time reduce CO2 emissions associated with cement production and reuse ground glass waste.