Enhancing Concrete Performance and Sustainability Using Waste Glass Powder as a Cement Substitute

Concrete is the most widely used construction material, but its dependence on Portland cement contributes substantially to global CO₂ emissions. This study explores the partial replacement of cement with Waste Glass Powder (WGP), a silica-rich industrial byproduct, to enhance both sustainability and concrete performance. WGP was added at 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, and 20% by weight of cement. Mechanical and durability properties including compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and water permeability were evaluated at 28 days. The mix containing 17.5% WGP exhibited optimal performance, with compressive strength reaching 49.5 MPa (a 33.7% increase over the 37.0 MPa control), tensile strength rising to 4.3 MPa (compared to 3.2 MPa), and flexural strength peaking at 5.6 MPa (versus 4.2 MPa). Water absorption dropped from 5.2% in the control to 2.8% in the WGP17.5 mix, reflecting significant permeability reduction. These enhancements are attributed to the pozzolanic reactivity of WGP and improved microstructural densification. The results confirm that incorporating 17.5% WGP offers a balanced improvement in strength and durability while promoting sustainable construction through waste valorization and reduced cement usage