Harsch, Julian

Diploma Thesis:
2108

Topic:
Short fibres in building materials: applications, processing, demolition and recycling

Editor:
Julian Harsch

University Professor Responsible:
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Katharina Kleinschrot

Supervisor:
University Supervisor: Dr.-Ing. Jan Kortmann

Editing Period:
08.05.2026 until 11.09.2026

Abstract: 
Short fibers are used in building materials for a variety of reasons. Among other things, they improve flexural strength, durability, watertightness, and fire resistance. Short fibers used in construction can increase the stress capacity up to the point of initial cracking, refine the crack pattern, or prevent—or at least delay—the development of macrocracks. The fibers used differ in terms of material composition, mechanical properties, and geometry. All of these properties also influence the recyclability of short-fiber-reinforced building materials. To enable a circular construction industry, it is therefore necessary—in addition to flawless planning of tomorrow’s buildings—to use existing building products for as long as possible. However, when a short-fiber building component reaches the end of its life cycle, its components must be separated and recycled. It is therefore necessary to conduct in-depth research into separability while simultaneously maintaining the geometric and mechanical properties of short fibers. Within this thesis, this preservation of properties is defined as the evaluation metric “recyclability.” An experimental design is proposed that, using tools from statistical experimental design, requires the smallest possible number of experiments to generate insights into the recyclability of short-fiber-reinforced surface protection systems.