This project’s objective was to create a circular economy in the composites sector by examining the possibility of using wind turbine blade composite materials to construct noise-absorbing barriers for roads. The possibility of constructing road noise barrier panels from components obtained from turbine blades was conceptually examined, and the geometry and construction of wind turbine blades were evaluated for their suitability as filler components for panels. The tensile strength parameters of two types of composites made from windmill blades—a solid composite and a sandwich type—were established based on material tests. The strength of the composite elements cut from a windmill propeller was analyzed, and a three-dimensional numerical model was created using the finite element method. The strength values of the composite used to construct the noise barriers were compared with the stresses resulting from loads operating on the road noise barriers, as determined in compliance with current standards. It was discovered that acoustic screens composed of composite materials derived from wind turbine blades may withstand loads associated with wind pressure and vehicle traffic with sufficient resistance. In order to evaluate the environmental benefits resulting from the use of composite material made from wind turbine blades to make noise barriers, this study presents the values of the embodied energy and embodied carbon for several types of road noise barriers using life cycle assessment.

This article presents the results of an experimental study carried out to assess the possibility of using waste wind turbine blades as retaining wall structures for slopes and trenches. The use of Vestas and LM-type blades as retaining wall components was assumed, based on ‘columns’ made of Vestas-type closed profiles filled with concrete and ‘slabs’ of fragments extracted from LM-type blades. The results of the tests and comparisons of the displacement and strain values of the components obtained using different measurement methods are presented in this paper. The force–strain and force–displacement relationships obtained from the tests were used to validate numerical models of slope protection walls and excavations designed from used wind turbine blades. According to our research, there is a high degree of variability in the strength parameters and deformation of the composite elements made from the wind turbine blades. Therefore, in the case of this type of material, characterized by a significant variation in carrying capacity, deformability, and the nature of the failures, the use of different measurement methods makes it possible to obtain much of the data necessary for assessing the reusability of wind turbine blades in building.

In Poland, until 2010, a number of buildings were built with the support structure of roofs in the form of timber trusses connections with punched metal plate fasteners. Standardisation changes, i.e. the introduction of Eurocodes in 2010, resulted in, among other things, increasing the values of recommended climatic loads. Due to the above, in structures built several years ago, the load capacity limit for both timber and fasteners is exceeded. Modernisation of structures with these trusses usually leads to the need to strengthen existing nodes. The issue of strengthening connections with punched metal plate fasteners is poorly recognised in experimental (failure) tests, and thus there are no detailed standard guidelines. The purpose of the experimental tests was to identify the behaviour of tension connections on metal plate fasteners and to evaluate the impact of the additional reinforcement in the form of perforated plates and screws. The analysis of the results obtained from the experimental tests allows us to conclude that the reinforced nodes achieved a much higher ultimate load than the one resulting from the design calculations.

This work includes a comparison of the methods of monitoring the deformations of a structure on the example of a flat plate slab test. Classic ESG (electrofusion strain gauges) and modern DFOS (distributed fiber optic sensors) were compared. During the research, both types of sensors were used on some of the reinforcing bars. The study aims to indicate the differences between the compared monitoring methods, both in terms of the obtained results and their utility values.

The paper presents problems and challenges in measuring the displacements and strains of steel structure joints using digital image correlation system. A beam-to-column bolted extended end-plate joints were tested under static loading until failure. An Aramis 2D digital image correlation system, inductive sensors, inclinometers and electrical resistive strain gauges were used to measure the displacement and strains of the element. Strains values obtained by electrical resistive strain gauging and digital image correlation were compared