Analysis of raw-crushed wind-turbine blade as an overall concrete addition: Stress–strain and deflection performance effects

Abstract

End-of-life wind-turbine blades undergo non-selective crushing to produce Raw-Crushed Wind-Turbine Blade (RCWTB), which can be recycled as a raw material in concrete. RCWTB contains fibers from glass fiber-reinforced polymer that can add ductility and load-bearing capacity to concrete. Concrete mixes with percentage additions of between 0.0 % and 6.0 % RCWTB by volume are produced to analyze their compressive stress–strain performance, their deflection under bending forces, and their deformability under indirect-tensile stresses. Higher RCWTB contents increased deformability in the longitudinal direction under compression, the concrete material absorbing energy levels that were up to 111.4 % higher, even though additions of only 6.0 % RCWTB were sufficient to strengthen the load-bearing capacity. RCWTB fiber stitching effect was most noticeable in the transverse direction under compression, as it reduced elastic deformability and failure strain, removed the yield step caused by vertical-splitting cracking, and increased the fracture strain by up to 94.4 %. With regard to deflection, RCWTB fibers conditioned concrete compliance at advanced ages without any dependence on the modulus of elasticity, and percentage additions from 3.0 % provided load-bearing capacity. This advantage was also noted in indirect-tensile stresses for 6.0 % RCWTB. In summary, RCWTB successfully increased the ductility and load-bearing capacity of concrete per unit strength and carbon footprint.