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Scientific Publications
BLADES2BUILD First Publication!
We are pleased to inform you that the first scientific article of BLADES2BUILD is now published!
Ashal Tyurkay, Gunvor Marie Kirkelund, and Ana Teresa Lima published a review article about “State-of-the-art circular economy practices for end-of-life wind turbine blades for use in the construction industry” in Sustainable Production and Consumption of Elsevier!
Check and Download our publication: 1-s2.0-S2352550924000794-main
BLADES2BUILD Second Publication!
Great news from BLADES2BUILD before going on holiday!!
Our partner R-NanoLab/National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) published a review article about “Recent Trends of Recycling and Upcycling of Polymers and Composites: A Comprehensive Review”! The review has been published in Recycling MDPI.
Check and Download our publication: Recycling_MDPI
BLADES2BUILD Third Publication!
Another publication, another great achievement from BLADES2BUILD!!
Our new review paper on “Mechanisms and applications of wind turbine blade waste in cementitious composites” has been published in Materials & Design by Elsevier!
All the great work has been done by our partners from Technical University of Denmark – DTU and Eindhoven University of Technology – TuE
Read the full paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525001522
BLADES2BUILD Fourth Publication!
We are thrilled to share one more publication from BLADES2BUILD!
Our latest research paper titled “Improving mortar properties with waste wind turbine blade fibers and superplasticizer,” is now available in Construction and Building Materials by Elsevier!
This study explores a circular solution—incorporating WTB fibers as reinforcement in cement mortars. An excellent work from DTU – Technical University of Denmark and Tao Liu and his colleagues!
Feel free to read and explore the full paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/…/pii/S0950061825010128…
BLADES2BUILD Fifth Publication!
We’re excited to announce another publication from the BLADES2BUILD project!
Our research paper, “Surface roughness evolution of wind turbine blade subject to rain erosion” has been published in Materials and Design by Elsevier.
This study presents a computational model for the prediction of the roughness evolution of the blade’s surface, based on fatigue damage calculations and rain droplet impact simulations. A fantastic publication from DTU –Technical University of Denmark, Antonios Tempelis and Leon Mishnaevsky Jr!
You can read the full paper here:
BLADES2BUILD Sixth Publication!
One more publication just came from the BLADES2BUILD project!
Our research paper, “Erosion modelling on reconstructed rough surfaces of wind turbine blades” has been published in Wind Energy by Wiley.
This study presents numerical simulations of rain droplet impacts on real rough surfaces of leading edges of wind turbine blades. One more publication from DTU –Technical University of Denmark, Antonios Tempelis and Leon Mishnaevsky Jr!
You can read the full paper here:
BLADES2BUILD Seventh Publication!
We are glad to share one more publication from BLADES2BUILD!
Our research paper, “A New Concept of Sustainable Wind Turbine Blades:Bio-Inspired Design with Engineered Adhesives” has been published in biomimetics by MDPI.
In this paper, a new concept of extra-durable and sustainable wind turbine blades is presented. This publication has been released from DTU –Technical University of Denmark, Leon Mishnaevsky Jr and his team!
You can read the full paper here:
BLADES2BUILD Eighth Publication!
Excited news and one more publication from BLADES2BUILD!
Our research paper, “Healable polymer blends: Computational analysis of damage and healing mechanisms” has been published in the International Journal of Mechanical Sciences by Elsevier.
In this paper, an isotropic continuum cohesive damage-healing model specific to the healable TS/TP blends is first presented within the framework of the finite element method. This publication has been released by DTU –Technical University of Denmark, Yulin Sun and Leon Mishnaevsky Jr!
You can read the full paper here:
BLADES2BUILD Ninth Publication!
A Pre-Christmas publication from BLADES2BUILD!
Our research paper, “Effect of wind turbine blade waste on cement hydration and gel structure: Competitive interaction of glass and polyester resin” has been published in Composites Part B by Elsevier.
This study used wind turbine blade waste to replace cement by 2.5-15 wt.% and investigates a competing mechanism between glass reactivity and resin inhibition. Key findings are:
- Glass in WTBW releases Si and Al, supporting hydration despite resin interference.
- 5 wt.% WTBW forms longer-chain gels with more Al(IV–VI) and Q3/Q4 Si species.
- Stronger gels at 5 wt.% WTBW create blade-type pores with 3D spatial control.
The present results enhance the understanding of how WTBW influences cement hydration, microstructural development, and gelation behavior. Specifically, the gel structure and pore structure of cementitious matrix evolution is closely linked to the development of C–(A)–S–H gels. At 5 wt.% WTBW replacement, the formation of longer and more interconnected gel chains promotes blade-type pores due to spatial constraints imposed by the 3D gel network. Below 5 wt.%, the gel growth is limited by insufficient reactive contribution, while above 5 wt.%, the excessive resin content hinders gel continuity, leading to more spherical and less structured pores.
This publication has been released by DTU –Technical University of Denmark with the valuable participation of Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) and specifically, Tao Liu, Ceren Duyal, Charilaos Paraskevoulakos, Kasper Enemark-Rasmussen, Ashal Tyurkay, Nataliya Lushnikova, Florent Gauvin, and Ana Teresa Lima!
You can read the full paper here!
BLADES2BUILD Tenth Publication!
A Second Pre-Christmas publication from BLADES2BUILD!
Our research paper, “Recycling of Glass Fibers from Wind Turbine Blade Wastes via Chemical-Assisted Solvolysis”, investigates a low‑temperature chemical solvolysis process using a poly(ethylene glycol)/NaOH system to recycle glass fibers from end‑of‑life wind turbine blade composites, as a more sustainable alternative to landfilling or incineration. Under optimized conditions, the process achieves about 80% decomposition of the polyester matrix and recovers glass fibers with minimal surface damage, demonstrating the potential for effective chemical recycling of GFRP waste.
This publication has been published in fibers by MDPI and released by the National Technical University of Athens/R-NanoLab and DTU –Technical University of Denmark and specifically, Maria Modestou, Dionisis Semitekolos, Tao Liu, Christina Podara, Savvas Orfanidis, Ana Teresa Lima and Costas Charitidis!
You can read the full paper here!
BLADES2BUILD Eleventh Publication!
One more publication from BLADES2BUILD!
In this research paper, “Investigating the microstructure of mortar systems reinforced with wind turbine blade waste using X-ray computed tomography”, X-ray computed tomography (XCT) has been -for the first time- utilised to address the fundamentals of this novel composite material microstructure. XCT has already proven versatile as an imaging technique to investigate the microstructure of various types of composites, including cement-based materials.
This publication has been published in Construction and Building Materials by Elsevier and released by the DTU –Technical University of Denmark and specifically, Charilaos Paraskevoulakos, Tao Liu, and Ana Teresa Lima!
You can read the full paper here!
BLADES2BUILD Twelve Publication!
Another publication from BLADES2BUILD is now on air!
Our new research paper, “Modeling the Solvolysis of Composite Materials of Wind Turbine Blades”, is published! This article aims to provide a computational framework for modeling the solvolysis of composite blades based on a continuum mechanics/micromechanics approach..
This publication has been published in Advanced Engineering Materials by Wiley-VCH GmbH and released by the DTU –Technical University of Denmark, Yi Chen, and Leon Mishnaevsky Jr.!
You can read the full paper here!
BLADES2BUILD Thirteen Publication!
Exciting news and another great achievement from BLADES2BUILD!
Our latest research paper, “Recycling carbon fibers by solvolysis: Effects of porosity and process parameters”, has been published in Composites Part A by Elsevier!
This study explores how different solvolysis conditions and manufacturing-induced porosity influence the efficiency of the solvolysis process in epoxy-based carbon fiber composites.
The publication was developed by the DTU –Technical University of Denmark, Daniele Tortorici, Yi Chen, Leon Mishnaevsky Jr. and Susanna Laurenzi!
You can read the full paper here!
BLADES2BUILD Fourteen Publication!
We are proud to share a new publication from BLADES2BUILD!
Our review paper, “How to Repair the Next Generation of Wind Turbine Blades”, has been published in energies by MDPI!
This study summarises the available information on technologies for the repair of newly developed composites that could be used in the new generation of wind turbine blades.
The publication was developed by the DTU –Technical University of Denmark and Leon Mishnaevsky Jr.!
You can read the full paper here!
BLADES2BUILD Fifteen Publication!
Another scientific milestone for BLADES2BUILD!
We are delighted to announce the publication of our paper, “Multifield computational model of chemical recycling of polymer composites: Temperature effects on solvolysis efficiency and energy consumption”, in the Journal of Cleaner Production by Elsevier!
This research investigates a numerical model that integrates diffusion, chemical reaction, temperature distribution, and mechanical response for the chemical recycling of composites under varying temperatures.
The publication was released by the DTU –Technical University of Denmark, and Yi Chen, Justine Beauson, Asger Bech Abrahamsen and Leon Mishnaevsky Jr.!
Access the full paper here!
BLADES2BUILD Sixteen Publication!
New publication alert from BLADES2BUILD!
Our research paper, “Self-healing interfaces in fiber reinforced polymers: Computational modeling”, has been published in Composites Science and Technology by Elsevier!
This study provides valuable insights into leveraging self-healing interfaces to enhance the durability of composite structures.
The publication was performed by the DTU –Technical University of Denmark, specifically Yulin Sun, Laura Simonini, Chen Xing, and Leon Mishnaevsky Jr.!
You can read the full paper here!
BLADES2BUILD Seventeen Publication!
We are excited to share another publication achievement from BLADES2BUILD!
The paper titled “Self-Repairing Polyurethane–Urea Coating for Wind Turbine Blades: Modeling and Analysis” is now available in coatings by MDPI!
This work, based on previous experimental data, develops predictive models using nonlinear interpolation and Gaussian process regression to estimate the critical conditions for healing, facilitating the evaluation and design of new material formulations under various environmental conditions.
This paper was published by the DTU –Technical University of Denmark and Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, authored by Yulin Sun, Leon Mishnaevsky, Jr., Katharina Koschek and Florian Sayer!
Find the full article here!
BLADES2BUILD Eighteen Publication!
Another important contribution from BLADES2BUILD has been published!
We are pleased to announce our latest paper, “Optimized incorporation of shredded wind turbine blade waste in concrete using a particle packing approach”, published in Construction and Building Materials by Elsevier!
This study aims to utilize SWTB, which exhibits a wide variety of shapes and sizes, by enabling different size fractions to simultaneously assume multiple roles within concrete.
The paper has been published by TUE- Eindhoven University of Technology, and C. Duyal, M. Chevalier, N. Lushnikova, F. Gauvin, and H.J.H. Brouwers
Full paper available here!
BLADES2BUILD Nineteen Publication!
We are happy to share another research success from BLADES2BUILD!
The paper, “Impact of wind turbine blade waste fiber size on the properties of mortar: From material characteristics to performance”, has now been published in Construction and Building Materials by Elsevier!
This study investigates the use of wind turbine blade (WTB) waste in mortar, with emphasis on how particle size affects hydration, mechanical performance, and alkali-silica reaction (ASR) expansion.
The publication was developed by the DTU –Technical University of Denmark, and Tao Liu, Charilaos Paraskevoulakos, Diego J. De Souza, Wolfgang Kunther, and Ana Teresa Lima!
Read the full publication here!
Results
Chemical recycling of Wind Turbine Blade waste
Extensive research has been conducted on the solvolysis of pristine composite laminates with well-defined thermoset compositions (epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester). However, real-world wind turbine blades (WTBs) exhibit greater complexity, incorporating a heterogeneous mixture of thermosets, thermoplastics, and auxiliary materials such as balsa wood. The intricate nature of WTB construction presents a significant challenge in isolating individual components, necessitating a waste management approach that treats the entire blade as a mixed-stream feedstock with unknown chemical composition. Our partner Prezero provided NTUA WTB waste in order to perform the chemical recycling.
This investigation explores the development and optimization of a low-temperature (200°C) solvolysis process employing catalysts and additives, formulated for WTB waste, performed by NTUA. The utilized samples are representative of end-of-life (EOL) WTBs. The primary objective is to establish a universal process capable of accommodating the full spectrum of materials present within a WTB. Ideally, this process would facilitate the recovery of high-quality glass fibers for subsequent reuse, while simultaneously converting the resin fraction into valuable low-molecular-weight species (monomers and oligomers) suitable for utilization as feedstock in future material applications. Below there are images from Recycled glass fibers recovered by using chemical recycling process, originated from wind turbine blade waste: The rGF exhibit diameter ranging from 20 to 25 μm and fiber length up to 50 mm.
Re-use of the fibers into mortars
The aforementioned chemically recycled glass fibers are implemented into mortars to test different properties of the material, by our partner RWTH Aachen University.
Repurpose of Wind Turbine Blade waste
Our partner ACCIONA performed tests for the aggregate replacement by WTBW (wind turbine blade waste) at different dosages from 5% to 10% by concrete weight. The waste was mechanically shredded by our partners PreZero and Holcim in up to 10mm aggregate size. From the tests carried out, the sample containing 10% of WTBW (wind turbine blade), presents good workability with the use of the last generation of superplasticizers, and a 24.7Mpa compressive strength is achieved at 28days, so the goal of C16/20 is fulfilled. The sample with the highest amount of waste shows better healing performance that the other dosages studied. Next lab-scale tests are focused on material durability characterization: water penetration, chloride intrusion, and so on. In the coming period ACCIONA in collaboration with Holcim will work together on the upscaling of BLADES2BUILD sustainable concrete to an industrial-scale prototype.
Repurpose of Wind Turbine Blade waste
Our coordinator, DTU, also processed some mortar samples with wind turbine blade waste as fiber reinforcement to find the effect of WTB waste size on the strength of cement mortars. The WTB waste was shredded from PreZero. The wind turbine blade waste was sieved into 5 different sizes: >8 mm, 2~8mm, 500μm~5mm, 63~500 μm, and <63 μm. Then 2 vol. % WTB waste was used as reinforcement in mortar samples for ASR test, compressive strength, and flexural strength. Alkali–silica reaction (ASR) is a material degradation mechanism that occurs in concrete structures. ASR is a chemical reaction occurring between the reactive siliceous aggregate particles and hydroxyl ions of the pore solution in hardened concrete. After the 3-point bending tests, a decrease in cracks when increasing the fiber size can be observed. In terms of compressive strength, we can see that the fibers connect (bridging) the cement matrix, in the broken pieces.
Circular building materials
Researchers of our partner TUe, Building Materials group, work on the development of circular building materials using mechanically treated (shredded) wastes of wind turbine blades. The two main areas of research are cement-based composites and polymer-based composites. They investigated the impact of mechanically treated wind turbine blade wastes, separated according to their sizes, on the flowability of cement mortars and flexural & compressive strength. The WTB waste was shredded by PreZero.
The waste was separated into 3 size ranges (first figure). A close look reveals that WTBW consists largely of thin glass fibers bonded together with epoxy and polyester resin (second figure). As the size of the waste used increased, the flowability of fresh mortars decreased. The results of bending and compression tests (third and fourth figures) demonstrate that with WTBW size increasing, the samples showed more ductile fracture and the fibers bridged the cracks.
Secondary polymer composites for the building sector
Our partner TUe/ Building Materials group, also works on the recycling of shredded waste of wind turbine blade (WWTB) into new secondary polymer composites for use in the building sector. To achieve this, 20mm wind turbine blade wastes were used (first figure) with polypropylene (PP) as the matrix to prepare pellets and secondary composites. The WTB waste was provided by PreZero. The pellets were produced using extrusion, and the specimens were prepared using injection moulding. Their thermal behavior was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). To enhance interfacial adhesion between the polymer matrix and the WTBW reinforcement, a coupling agent was employed, resulting in notable improvements in both mechanical and thermal properties
The mechanical testing shows the improvement of the tensile strength of the secondary composites by adding coupling agent, which enhances the interfacial strength between the matrix and fiber, consequently increasing tensile strength.
Recycling Wind Turbine Blades in Concrete: Study of fresh and hardened concrete properties
Our partner TUe/ Building Materials group, has developed mix design and study properties of fresh concrete (workability, density) and hardened concrete samples (compressive strength, tensile splitting strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength with CMOD (crack mouth opening displacement)) with mechanically shredded Wind Turbine Blade Waste (WTBW).
The WTBW with particle size below 10 mm was utilized as a partial aggregate and cement replacement and reinforcement. Compared to the control samples, the use of WTBW increased the energy absorption during failure under mechanical testing.
Deliverables
D 2.2- R&D report on Laboratory developments of the best recycling methods to produce high-quality recyclates from EOL composite materials for the GO/NO-GO decision
D 2.5- Computational model for prediction of post-repair lifetime of WTB
D 6.1- Dissemination Kit
D 6.2- Plan for the Exploitation & Dissemination of Results (PEDR)
D 7.2- Data Management Plan
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them.
