Suitability of concrete produced with high contents of crushed wind-turbine blade

Abstract

Some of the first-installed wind turbines will have to be replaced soon, as they are approaching the end of their life span. These wind-turbine blades must be recycled,

so their suitability to be added into concrete mixes as fibers is studied. Thus, a less- polluting fiber-reinforced concrete can be achieved, maintaining its mechanical

behavior. To recycle numerous wind-turbine blades at an adequate rate, large amounts of waste need to be added into concrete. This study aims to find out the suitability of adding high amounts of this waste material (0% vol., 5% vol., and 10% vol.). Testing yielded a slight decrease in fresh density and a higher occluded air content, yet largely maintaining its suitability for structural use according to the compressive strength. The results showed that concrete with a high content of crushed wind-turbine blade is suitable for structural use, being it an effective solution to said current sustainability problems.