Effect of GRP industrial waste on durability of cement mortars

Certain durability aspects of sustainable mortars manufactured by the addition of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) industrial waste have been investigated. Mechanical and porosimetric characterization, water absorption and shrinkage measurements were carried out on cement mortars manufactured by replacing 0 % - 10 % - 15 % - 20 % of the aggregate volume with GRP waste. An increase in porosity (25 %) and, consequently, a decrease in mechanical strength (up to 40 % depending on the addition rate), as well as higher deformability, were detected on the mortars manufactured by GRP waste addition. Moreover, unexpectedly, capillary water absorption and drying shrinkage of GRP mortars resulted in significantly lower values (70 % and 50 %, respectively) than those of the reference mortar manufactured without GRP addition. This decrease could involve enhanced durability, even if only in a supporting role.