Analysis of Concrete Blocks with Rubber and Recycled Glass and Their Use in Low-Rise Structures

Concrete blocks are one of the most widely used construction elements in the world of construction, due to their good mechanical behaviour, easy placement and versatility in structures, enclosures and partitions. Despite their good construction characteristics, their defects involve their flexural-tensile strength behaviour and their thermal and waterproof behaviour. This research aims to improve these behaviours, using materials that improve these properties but without making the product more expensive and respecting the environment, as the glass and the rubber is recycled. The different laboratory tests carried out (mechanical, thermal and waterproof) show how small quantities (0.625%, 1.250% and 2.500% by mass instead of sand and gravel) of these recyclable materials improve the most deficient properties of the traditional block. It is demonstrated that the use of these new blocks improves the structural and thermal properties of the traditional block, computationally in a three-dimensional three-storey model.