Real-time ultrasonic monitoring of cement composites reinforced with recycled wind turbine blade fibers

Abstract Cement composites with the addition of fibers from wind turbine blades and polypropylene fibers are an innovative material, based, among other things, on the replacement of fibers produced in manufacturing processes with recycled fibers, in this case from wind turbines. Testing such materials to assess the potential of the proposed solution is important, but the full scope of destructive testing and long-term laboratory analysis would involve high costs and significant material consumption. For this reason, non-destructive methods are particularly useful. This article presents considerations and research on the continuous measurement of the velocity and acceleration of ultrasonic wave propagation in the tested material, conducted in real time. The work presents research in this area and points to the benefits of using the ultrasonic method, such as the ability to estimate strength, determine the dynamic Young’s modulus, analyse the homogeneity of the structure and monitor the course of hydration processes. This study proposes a sustainable material innovation that involves the replacement of traditional fibers with recycled ones.