Effect of electronic waste fiber on the properties of self-compacting mortar incorporating waste glass as fine aggregate replacement

Abstract

The construction industry is recently turning towards sustainability by incorporating recycled materials to reduce environmental impacts. This paper presents the development of green self-compacting mortar (SCM) using E-waste fiber, waste glass, and cement replacement materials (calcium carbonate and silica fume). The effects of these materials on flowability, mechanical properties, and durability were evaluated. Fifteen different mixes of SCM were prepared, incorporating 0–15% E-waste fiber, 0–50% waste glass as replacement for sand, and 10% cement replacement (5% calcium carbonate and 5% silica fume). Flowability was evaluated by mini slump flow and V-funnel tests. Compressive strength and flexural strength tests were carried out at 7, 28, and 91 days. Durability tests such as water absorption and sulfate resistance were performed. In these results, 5% E-waste fiber gave the best performance, with a compressive strength of 51.63 MPa and a flexural strength of 5.26 MPa at 91 days. Cement replacement improved the densification of the matrix, reducing water absorption to 2.38% and enhancing sulfate resistance with very minimal mass loss. Higher contents of fibers, such as 10% and 15%, along with 50% replacement with waste glass, resulted in detrimental effects on workability and durability due to increased porosity. A combination of 5% E-waste fiber, 10% cement replacement, and up to 25% waste glass replacement is recommended in the production of SCM, which shows balanced properties for sustainability. This research results show the feasibility of producing eco-friendly high-performance mortars with recycled materials.