Improving mortar properties with waste wind turbine blade fibers and superplasticizer
Tao Liu, Huber Reascos, Umair Abid Mughal, Gunvor M. Kirkelund, Ana T. Lima
Abstract
The growing waste from decommissioned wind turbine blades (WTB) sets environmental challenges, with landfilling as the common disposal method. This study aims to explore the potential of recycling WTB fiber (WTBF) into cement mortar as a reinforcement material, specifically investigating its effects on workability, strength, hydration process, microstructure, and shrinkage. 0.5, 1, and 2 vol% of WTBF were incorporated into mortars with and without superplasticizer (SP), and tests were conducted on flow, strength, and hydration kinetics. The results show that adding WTBF with SP incorporation significantly improves the flowability (11–14.58 cm, 11.8–15.93 cm, and 12.6–17.33 cm, respectively) and compressive strength (up to 100 % increase) of the mortar. Furthermore, SP enhanced WTBF-matrix bonding, reduced porosity, and strengthened the composites. These findings enable the usage of WTBF-reinforced mortars in practical applications, e.g. 3D printed mortar, which requires a typical flowability ranging from 13 to 18 cm. • Superplasticizers improve workability, compaction, and strength of WTBF composites. • Superplasticizers improve microstructure and enhance fiber-matrix bonding. • Strength is not compromised up to 2 vol% WTBF due to superplasticizers.