Management of wind-turbine blade waste as high-content concrete addition: Mechanical performance evaluation and life cycle assessment

Abstract

The management of end-of-life wind-turbine blades in the coming years will be necessary, as a clear solution for their recycling is yet to be found due to their complex composition. The suitability of their mechanical recycling is therefore evaluated in this paper, obtaining Raw-Crushed Wind-Turbine Blade (RCWTB) for subsequent incorporation in high amounts of up to 10% vol. in concrete, replacing the aggregates to achieve Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (FRC). Compressive strength levels of 40 MPa were at all times reached, although with steadily decreasing elastic moduli, properties that could be precisely related by regression using a hardened-density correction. Besides, tensile splitting strength increased by 0.03 MPa per 1% RCWTB and Poisson's coefficient was reduced, while maintaining flexural strength levels. Finally, life cycle assessment showed lower global warming potential for mixes with RCWTB, even compared to other FRC mixes, as the contents related to high-emitting raw materials of FRC were reduced. The results were promising and reveal a path towards greater sustainability of the wind-energy sector in alliance with the concrete industry.