New recycling approaches for thermoset polymeric composite wastes – an experimental study on polyester based concrete materials filled with fibre reinforced plastic recyclates

In this study, a new waste management solution for thermoset glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) based products was assessed. Mechanical recycling approach, with reduction of GFRP waste to powdered and fibrous materials was applied, and the prospective added-value of obtained recyclates was experimentally investigated as raw material for polyester based mortars. Different GFRP waste admixed mortar formulations were analyzed varying the content, between 4% up to 12% in weight, of GFRP powder and fibre mix waste. The effect of incorporation of a silane coupling agent was also assessed. Design of experiments and data treatment was accomplished through implementation of full factorial design and analysis of variance ANOVA. Added value of potential recycling solution was assessed by means of flexural and compressive loading capacity of GFRP waste admixed mortars with regard to unmodified polymer mortars. The key findings of this study showed a viable technological option for improving the quality of polyester based mortars and highlight a potential cost-effective waste management solution for thermoset composite materials in the production of sustainable concrete-polymer based products.

PLSR Models for Mechanical Strengths of Concrete Composite Materials Reinforced with Pultrusion Wastes

In this paper, we present two Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) models for compressive and flexural strength responses of a concrete composite material reinforced with pultrusion wastes. The main objective is to characterize this cost-effective waste management solution for glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) pultrusion wastes and end-of-life products that will lead, thereby, to a more sustainable composite materials industry. The experiments took into account formulations with the incorporation of three different weight contents of GFRP waste materials into polyester based mortars, as sand aggregate and filler replacements, two waste particle size grades and the incorporation of silane adhesion promoter into the polyester resin matrix in order to improve binder aggregates interfaces. The regression models were achieved for these data and two latent variables were identified as suitable, with a 95% confidence level. This technological option, for improving the quality of GFRP filled polymer mortars, is viable thus opening a door to selective recycling of GFRP waste and its use in the production of concrete-polymer based products. However, further and complementary studies will be necessary to confirm the technical and economic viability of the process.

Influence of time evolution in the modulus of elasticity of concrete reinforced by carbon fibers

The modulus of elasticity is an important property for the behavior analysis of concrete structures. This research evaluated the strain difference between concrete specimens with and without the application of laminate carbon fiber composites as well as the variation time, in months, of the axial strength compression and modulus of elasticity. Through the experimental results, it is concluded that increases in compressive strength and modulus of elasticity are more significant in the specimens without reinforcement.

Polypropylene fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete for the reconstruction of the cathedral of La Laguna, Canary Island, Spain

High performance materials are needed for the reconstruction of such a singular building as a cathedral, since in addition to special mechanical properties, high self compact ability, high durability and high surface quality, are specified. Because of the project’s specifications, the use of polypropylene fiber-reinforced, self-compacting concrete was selected by the engineering office. The low quality of local materials and the lack of experience in applying macro polypropylene fiber for structural reinforcement with these components materials required the development of a pretesting program. To optimize the mix design, performance was evaluated following technical, economical and constructability criteria. Since the addition of fibers reduces concrete self-compactability, many trials were run to determine the optimal mix proportions. The variables introduced were paste volume; the aggregate skeleton of two or three fractions plus limestone filler; fiber type and dosage. Two mix designs were selected from the preliminary results. The first one was used as reference for self-compactability and mechanical properties. The second one was an optimized mix with a reduction in cement content of 20 kg/m3and fiber dosage of 1 kg/m3. For these mix designs, extended testing was carried out to measure the compression and flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, toughness, and water permeability resistance

Short-term guidelines to improve crumb rubber modified asphalt concrete pavements. Final report.

Texas Department of Transportation, Austin

A summary of experimental concrete pavements in New York. Final report.

Federal Highway Administration, Office of Research, Development, and Technology, Washington, D.C.

Structural overlay strategies for jointed concrete pavements.

Cover title.

Incremental costs and performance benefits of various features of concrete pavements / [T.E. Hoerner, K.D. Smith, and J.E. Bruinsma]

"HRDI-11/04-04(1M500)E"--P. [4] of cover.

Achieving a high level of smoothness in concrete pavements without sacrificing long-term performance /

"HRDI-11/10-05(2M)E"--P. [4] of cover.

Performance of concrete pavements containing recycled concrete aggregate /

"March 1997."

Performance of concrete pavements.

"June 1998."

Performance of concrete pavements.

"June 1998."

Computer-based guidelines for concrete pavements.

"February 2005."

Computer-based guidelines for concrete pavements.

"February 2005."