Friday 29 March 2024

automatic translation

Friday 29 March 2024

automatic translation

    Recycled glass for 3D printed concrete: the future of construction?

    La 3d printing it can foster a profound change in architecture and construction. To this cutting-edge technology, which guarantees new production processes e alternative forms, however, attention to materials must be added containment of the environmental impact.

    Research in progress

    Il construction sector produces, to date, the 35% of the waste destined for landfills worldwide. And the hunger for cement continues, despite the fact that the consequences of the massive use of this material are now well known. However, new research suggests a possible solution, thanks to the use of a perhaps unusual component for the production of 3D printed concrete: the recycled glass

    Stimulate recycling

    Concrete is made up of a mixture of cement, water and other aggregates (such as sand). And the glass replaces this last 'ingredient' in the dough. It is in fact easy to recycle and can be used to produce concrete, without any complex processing.
    In light of this, the enormous boost that the construction sector could transmit to the glass recycling system should not be overlooked. 

    Processing

    To test the feasibility of the proposal, the researchers used soda-lime glass for beverages, obtained from a recycling company. The bottles were first crushed by means of a crushing machine. The pieces obtained were then washed, dried, ground and sieved, until particles smaller than a square millimeter were obtained.

    The power of 3D printing

    The product of these processes, comparable to sand, is used to obtain concrete. The 3D printing of this material makes it possible to create prefabricated elements of walls and blocks, the assembly of which favors the manufacture of buildings according to updated times and shapes.
    This procedure therefore gives new life to the discarded glass and strongly limits waste and related pollution.

    Why glass?

    But the contribution of glass does not end with sustainable data. In fact, it contributes to the development of a concrete with superior properties compared to that containing natural sand.
    Concrete made with soda-lime glass has better insulating properties, thanks to a thermal conductivity that is three times lower than that of the traditionally used materials. This feature can significantly reduce the costs required for building cooling and heating.   

    Key word: progress

    The 3D printing system has the ability to work 24 hours a day, reduce the amount of waste and increase the safety of construction works.
    Grasping the potential of glass in the development of this technology means recognizing the material as a profound renewal value for the quality and sustainable progress of our cities and homes.      

    Sources: theconversation.com

    You may also be interested in: First Glass for Europe workshop on “Flat glass recycling”, with three national examples
    Stay up to date on the latest news from the world of glass, follow Vitrum on Twitter!

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