Use of GRP industrial by-products in cement based composites

The possibility of re-using Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) industrial by-product powder in cement based composites was investigated. Firstly, the by-product was physically and chemically characterized. Secondly, mechanical, capillary water absorption and shrinkage measurements were carried out on cement mortars manufactured by replacing the 0%, 10%. 15% and 20% of the aggregate volume with GRP by-product and on self compacting concretes manufactured by replacing the 0%, 25% and 50% of the calcareous filler volume with GRP powder. The obtained results show that GRII industrial by-product powder Could be used as a partial aggregate or filler replacement in cement based composites. A decrease in mechanical strength was detected on the cement-based materials manufactured by GRP addition. However, capillary water absorption and drying shrinkage of cement-based materials with GRP addition resulted in significantly lower values than those of the cement-based materials manufactured without GRP addition, involving enhanced durability. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.