Recycling of Raw-Crushed Wind-Turbine Blade for Concrete Production: Mechanical and Durability Performance

Abstract

The decommissioning of wind turbines over coming decades highlights the need to establish a method for their recycling. Raw-Crushed Wind-Turbine Blade (RCWTB) is a material containing Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite, spherical balsa wood particles, and polyurethane. It is produced by nonselective cutting and crushing of wind-turbine blades. In this research, the behavior of five concrete mixtures with RCWTB global volumetric additions up to 6.0% is evaluated through different mechanical and durability tests. The mechanical properties under evaluation underwent no significant deterioration and some improvements were even observed, due to the fiber bridging effect within the cementitious matrix. With regard to durability, it was observed that the higher the RCWTB content, the higher the water absorption rate of the concrete samples. Water intake can also be the main entry point of aggressive agents into a concrete matrix. Even so, the results were in all cases indicative of good quality concretes.