Taylor, Maddy (2023) Use of Waste Glass as a Sand Replacement in Road Base Applications. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
Sand and gravel rank among the world's most extracted natural resources, yet despite their apparent abundance, they are finite. Recycled materials for road construction offer a promising approach to address this challenge.
This dissertation employed a comprehensive research methodology to determine the suitability of recycled glass sand to replace unbound road pavement by incorporating various amounts of recycled glass sand in road base gravel and testing the material properties.
Growing attention is being directed towards sustainable road construction and the utilization of recycled glass. However, the investigation of recycled glass sand in road base applications in Australia remains underexplored. Townsville City Council has yet to adopt standards or life cycle assessment analysis to determine and understand the holistic perspective on the environmental repercussions of using recycled products and quarried sand.
Material testing conducted assesses the suitability of recycled glass sand as a substitute for quarried sand in road subbase material. Townsville City Council's Material Reuse Facility has provided recycled glass sand. Control material will be tested for comparative properties, including particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, optimum moisture content, and California Bearing Ratio. A NATA accredited laboratory will complete chemical testing, including sugars, heavy metals, and organic carbon, to determine the contaminants in the recycled glass.
Recycled glass sand mix results were compared to a natural gravel road base control material for chemical, material, and LCA assessment. This investigation has determined that recycled glass sand effectively replaces road subbase gravel. Material testing results show that recycled glass sand mixes meet sub-base gravel's particle size distribution. Road base mixes combined with RGS require less water to reach optimum moisture content while achieving maximum dry density within 1% of the control material. Recycled glass sand mixes had significant increases in strength properties.
Life cycle analysis assessment results showed reductions in the majority of the damage pathways, reducing the three endpoint impacts: human health, environmental, and resources. The economic assessment also demonstrates significant cost savings.
In conclusion, this research underpins the potential of recycled glass sand as a sustainable alternative in unbound road pavement construction. By examining material properties, environmental impact, and performance compared to traditional road base materials, there are valuable insights for promoting sustainable road construction practices in Australia. This study with the Townsville City Council, offers a promising solution to the scarcity of natural sand and gravel and contributes to reducing the environmental footprint in road infrastructure development.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Seligmann, Hannah |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Oct 2025 00:07 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Oct 2025 00:07 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | road base; waste glass; sand |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53006 |
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