Application of recycled waste glass to replace traditional quarried aggregates: A comprehensive review

Aggregates are one of the primary and essential components in construction practices and are mostly fulfilled with traditional, natural, aggregates. The rising demand for aggregates exerts enormous pressure on the limited natural aggregate reserves to cater for the demand. Many studies have been carried out on finding alternatives for natural aggregates, and some materials stood out due to the similarities in their material properties with natural aggregates. Recycled waste glass (RWG) is one of those seriously considered options for many decades as a replacement for natural aggregates in several construction applications. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review on the main applications of RWG aggregates in the construction industry. The review begins by examining the global demand for aggregates, the worldwide availability of waste glass, and the classifications of glass. Subsequently, the civil engineering properties of RWG as aggregates are categorised and tabulated based on physical and mechanical properties. In addition, different construction applications of RWG aggregates are also discussed, based on their engineering properties, along with their advantages, drawbacks and durability compared to natural aggregates. Finally, the challenges of using RWG aggregates in construction and the way forward to overcome these challenges were discussed. Also, a novel composite material is proposed where RWG aggregates are bounded with a geopolymer developed using RWG powder.