The Effects of Replacing Sand with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Waste on the Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortars

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the partial replacement of sand by Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) waste on the mechanical properties of cement mortars. Compressive and flexural tests were carried out on mortars containing 0, 3, 5, 10, and 15% (by volume) of GFRP waste. It appears that the incorporation of 3% GFRP waste did not significantly affect the mechanical strength. However, further increasing the GFRP waste content led to a reduction in the mechanical strength. The flexural strength seemed less affected than the compressive strength, since the decrease in flexural strength at a 10% replacement was only 37%, while it was 54% for the compressive strength. However, an improvement in the toughness of the mortar with an increase in the substitution rate was observed. The reference sample displayed a flexural toughness of 0.351 N·m, while the mortar incorporating 15% of GFRP exhibited a flexural toughness of 0.642 N·m. The reuse of GFRP waste in cementitious materials, therefore, constitutes an interesting recycling solution.