FOAMED GLASS AGGREGATE AS A LIGHTWEIGHT SUSTAINABLE GEOMATERIAL FOR GEOTECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

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Foamed glass aggregate (FGA) is an innovative lightweight geomaterial manufactured from recycled glass through a sinter-foaming process. As sustainability becomes a central priority in civil engineering, FGA has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional granular fills. Its highly porous cellular structure results in extremely low density, excellent thermal insulation, and efficient drainage performance. These characteristics make FGA particularly suitable for applications such as embankments, backfills, retaining structures, and foundation systems where weight reduction and environmental benefits are essential.

Production Mechanisms and Microstructural Formation

The engineering performance of FGA originates from its manufacturing process, in which glass particle size, sintering temperature, and foaming agent dosage interact to create a controlled cellular microstructure. During sintering, gas released from the foaming agent becomes trapped within softened glass particles, forming interconnected pores. The resulting pore size distribution, connectivity, and wall thickness determine the aggregate’s mechanical strength, density, and durability. Understanding these production parameters is crucial for tailoring FGA to specific geotechnical requirements.

Influence of Porosity on Engineering Properties

The intrinsic porosity of FGA governs its macroscopic behavior. High void content produces low unit weight and strong thermal insulation, while pore connectivity enhances drainage capacity. However, excessive porosity may reduce strength and increase compressibility. The study highlights the concept of intra-void ratio as a key parameter controlling deformation resistance, load-bearing capacity, and thermal conductivity. This relationship underscores the need to balance lightweight characteristics with structural performance.

Compaction Behavior and Strength Characteristics

Unlike natural soils, FGA exhibits unique compaction responses due to its rigid cellular particles and low particle crushing resistance. Variations in particle size distribution, specific gravity, and pore structure significantly influence compaction efficiency and resulting strength. The material’s degradation behavior under load is also linked to pore wall integrity and internal structure. These factors determine whether FGA can function effectively as a load-bearing geomaterial in infrastructure projects.

Limitations of Conventional Soil Classification

Traditional soil classification systems and compaction methods were developed for natural granular materials and may not accurately represent FGA behavior. The research emphasizes that applying standard soil mechanics approaches can lead to misleading design assumptions. Instead, a new unified classification framework based on intrinsic structural parameters—such as apparent specific gravity, bulk density, and intra-porosity—is recommended. Such a system would better capture the engineered nature of FGA and support reliable design practices.

Implications for Sustainable Infrastructure Design

By integrating principles from materials science, chemistry, and geotechnical engineering, this study positions FGA as a multifunctional engineered aggregate capable of balancing weight reduction, strength, and durability. Its use of recycled glass contributes to circular economy goals while improving infrastructure resilience. As research advances, FGA has the potential to become a cornerstone material for next-generation sustainable construction, offering environmentally responsible solutions for transportation, foundation, and earthwork applications.

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#CivilEngineering
#EngineeredAggregates
#InfrastructureDesign
#SoilMechanics
#PorousMaterials
#EcoFriendlyMaterials
#FoundationEngineering
#EmbankmentDesign
#ResilientInfrastructure
#FutureConstruction

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