We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Technical feasibility of adding 20% wind turbine blade waste to concrete: Fresh, mechanical, deformational, and sustainability assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Old wind turbine blades are hard to recycle and often end up in landfills, but this study found that grinding them up and mixing them into concrete (replacing 20% of the usual materials) actually worked reasonably well, especially for structures that mainly need to resist bending rather than heavy loads. This matters for the environment because it could keep bulky turbine waste out of landfills while slightly lowering concrete's carbon footprint — though this is a lab-based feasibility study, not yet a real-world building solution, and doesn't address human health effects like fiber or particle exposure.
The recycling and valorization of decommissioned wind turbine blades represent a pressing environmental challenge. This study explores a recycling route in which the blades were not selectively crushed, thus yielding Wind Turbine Blade Waste (WTBW) composed of balsa wood, polymers, and fibers and microfibers from Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP). This by-product was subsequently incorporated as a partial replacement (20% by volume) of natural aggregates in concrete. The fresh, mechanical, deformational, and sustainability performance of the resulting concrete was evaluated. 20% WTBW inclusion slightly reduced workability, though concrete maintained a slump class S2 thank empirical adjustment of water and plasticizer contents, in principle ensuring placement by conventional vibration. Mechanical properties were generally reduced due to the weak particles in WTBW. Nevertheless, flexural strength was preserved (5.59 MPa) owing to the three-dimensional reinforcement of the GFRP fibers. Such fiber network also enhanced post-failure performance, doubling the absorbed energy under bending and promoting more ductile failure modes characterized by reduced crack width and absence of surface spalling. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed a proper orientation and crack stitching of GFRP microfibers, which also contributed to this improvement. A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment showed reductions of approximately 6% in both abiotic depletion potential for fossil fuels and global warming potential, both in total terms and per unit of strength or absorbed energy under bending. These results, statistically validated by an analysis of variance, indicate that concrete incorporating 20% WTBW could, in theory, be sustainably used in elements with reduced mechanical requirements and predominantly bending stresses.
More Papers Like This
Mechanical and Environmental Performance of Concrete Incorporating Post-Consumer Plastics and E-Waste
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers incorporated ground polypropylene plastic waste and pulverized printed circuit board powder as partial replacements for sand and cement in concrete, finding roughly 11% reductions in compressive strength and beam load capacity, with life cycle assessment showing cement replacement yielded far greater environmental benefit than aggregate substitution.
Impact of using recycled plastic particles as a partial replacement of aggregates on the mechanical performance of the eco-friendly concrete
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that mixing small amounts of recycled plastic waste into concrete (replacing sand or gravel) can create lighter, still-usable building material, best suited for things like sidewalks and paving blocks rather than load-bearing structures. This matters because it offers a practical way to reuse plastic waste instead of sending it to landfills or letting it break down into microplastics that pollute soil, water, and eventually our food and bodies. However, this is a construction materials study, not a health study, so it doesn't directly test whether the concrete itself sheds microplastics over time.
Waste Plastic as Partial Aggregate Replacement in Concrete: A Review of Mechanical, Durability and High-Temperature Performance
AI summary Read the abstract
This review pulls together existing studies on mixing shredded plastic waste into concrete instead of sand or gravel, finding that small amounts (about 5-15%) can actually make concrete stronger and more crack-resistant while helping keep plastic out of landfills and oceans. This matters for human health because reusing plastic waste this way locks it into solid concrete rather than letting it break down outdoors into microplastics that can contaminate water, soil, and eventually our food and bodies, though researchers note more testing is still needed on long-term safety and emissions before this becomes widespread practice.
Performance evaluation of PET-modified concrete with PET granules and manufactured sand as fine aggregates
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that mixing shredded plastic bottles into concrete, replacing some sand, actually made it stronger when used at the right amount (2%). This matters because it gives plastic waste a useful second life instead of it sitting in landfills or being burned, which releases toxic fumes harmful to human health.
Influence of plastic waste addition on mechanical properties of cement mortars: An experimental study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that mixing small amounts of ground-up PVC plastic waste (5-10%) into cement mortar actually made it stronger and lighter, offering a promising way to reuse plastic trash in construction instead of sending it to landfills. This matters for human health indirectly: finding practical uses for plastic waste in solid, bound materials like concrete could help reduce the amount of plastic that breaks down into microplastics in our environment, water, and food supply.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.