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Research
Sponsors
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New York State Department of Economic Development
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Office of Recycling Market Development
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Grinnell Pavingstones
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Echo Environmental, Inc., New York, NY
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Research Team Members |
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Semyon Shimanovich
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Tarig Monawar
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Technical Publications |
- C. Meyer, "Development of Glass Concrete
Products", Final Report to New York Empire State
Development, Albany, NY, March 1999.
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This
Document |
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Glass Concrete Paving
Stones
Concrete paving stones are ubiquitous in
sidewalks, parking lots, pedestrian malls, parks, etc. They are typically
produced in highly automated high-volume facilities and therefore constitute
cost-effective alternatives to other paving materials. With the addition
of color pigments their color can be customized and esthetically pleasing.
Columbia University has been cooperating
with Grinnell Pavingstones of Sparta, NJ, to develop a paving stone made
of glass concrete. The main objectives of this development were,
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to use the glass to achieve novel color and
surface texture effects;
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to recycle the glass, thereby reducing the
solid waste disposal problem of local communities;
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to utilize the reflective properties of the
glass for novel effects;
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to add fiber reinforcement to increase the
paver’s energy absorption capacity and to minimize crack widths;
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all other technical specifications for paving
stones, such as strength, water absorption, freeze-thaw cycle resistance,
can be readily satisfied.
Grinnell is also manufacturing concrete
blocks for a patented retaining wall system. The units are mechanically
split, with the split surfaces to be exposed. It is being contemplated
to manufacture these wall block units with glass concrete.
The development efforts are continuing and are now in the industrial testing phase. Full-scale commercial production can commence as soon as the producer has a reliable supply of affordable waste glass. It is anticipated that Grinnell alone can use all waste glass collected by New York City.
