Raw-crushed wind-turbine blade as an effective addition to enhance recycled concrete properties

Abstract

Many wind-turbine blades are approaching the end of their operational life, and they must be replaced soon. As a result, there is a pressing need for cost-effective, sustainable, and simple recycling methods. This paper proposes a recycling process that transforms turbine blades into raw materials for concrete production. Raw-crushed wind-turbine blade (RCWTB) obtained from dismissed wind-turbine blades was incorporated in mixes containing recycled aggregates to improve fresh and early-age mechanical properties. The RCWTB is composed of glass fibers, polymeric particles, and balsa wood; based on its physical and microscopic properties, it works as both concrete fibers and aggregates. As a key finding, incorporating this waste material was observed to improve the early-age properties of concrete containing recycled aggregates. Plastic shrinkage decreased up to 47% and flexural strength reached 14% higher values, while compressive strength remained almost unchanged.