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.

Utility poles made of glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) are becoming increasingly common in European countries. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately examine their structural properties to ensure the integrity and safety of the poles. The purpose of this article is to compare the bending resistance of GFRP composite lighting columns obtained using European standard procedures with full-scale experimental tests. Several composite lighting columns were tested as part of the research study, and coupon tests were performed to assess the material properties required to calculate their bending resistance according to European Standard (EN) 40-3-3. The results obtained differed significantly. Furthermore, it was observed that the current standard rules for obtaining the resistance of GFRP poles based on the limit state method show a higher load capacity of the column in comparison to the capacity obtained from the tests.

Sustainable construction is an important part of sustainable development because of its contribution to the economy as well as the environmental and social impact of buildings on our lives. Steel is one of the most basic materials, both in the structures and for the finishes. It enables efficiency, durability, and recyclability, especially for office buildings. All these features of steel show its sustainable potential. Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the environment. They need to be able to make informed decisions about the impact of their actions. This publication is aimed at setting out key themes for the design and construction of sustainable buildings. Examples of office building environmental analyses are presented to illustrate how this is being achieved in steel construction.

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.

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) utility poles are becoming more widespread in European countries. To ensure the integrity and safety of poles, it is necessary to carefully examine their structural features. The purpose of this paper is to present the numerical model of a column made with the engineering simulation software ANSYS and to compare the experimentally determined values of the stresses that lead to column failure close to the inspection hole with the results obtained using the numerical model. The critical buckling and failure loads for GFRP poles, as well as the associated modes of failure, were correctly predicted by the finite element method used in this study. Failure occurred in the middle of the inspection hole’s longer edge at a stress level of 220–250 MPa. A comparison of the stress using the ANSYS simulation software that led to the destruction of the column with those measured experimentally using strain gauges revealed a good agreement between their values.

The use of hollow section structures has received considerable attention in recent years. Since the first publication of CIDECT (International Committee for the Development and Study of Tubular Structures), additional research results became available, especially concerning the design of welds between members of trusses joints. To assess the capacity of welded joints of trusses between braces made of hollow sections and I-beam chords, the effective lengths of the welds should be estimated and their location around the braces and the forces acting on individual weld’s sections. The objective of this paper is to present the most up-to-date information to designers, teachers, and researchers according to the design of welds for certain K and N overlapped joints between rectangular hollow section (RHS) braces and I- or H-section chord.