Carbon-reinforced concrete (CRC) - execution
Table of contents
D - 23 From Wind Turbine Blades to Precast Concrete Elements
Full title: From Wind Turbine Blades to Precast Concrete Elements – Innovative Connectors Made from Recycled GFRP Rotor Blade Material
How can decommissioned wind turbine blades be given a second life? This question lies at the heart of an exciting project, master's, or diploma thesis at the intersection of sustainable construction, materials engineering, and structural design.
As part of an ongoing research project, secondary materials recovered from wind turbine blades will be investigated for their potential use as connectors in precast concrete elements. Building on existing material characterization studies, the properties of different rotor blade sections will be systematically compared with the technical requirements of modern precast concrete systems. The objective is to develop innovative structural solutions for applications such as double-wall elements, thermal wall systems, and sandwich panels, and to evaluate their technical and economic feasibility.
The thesis offers the opportunity to actively contribute to the entire development process—from analyzing existing precast concrete systems and designing novel connector concepts to creating CAD-based solutions and assessing manufacturing, machining, and joining technologies. In addition, experimental test results can be evaluated, and prototype solutions may be developed and assessed.
This research combines sustainability, circular economy principles, and structural innovation, offering the chance to work on a forward-looking topic with direct industrial relevance. We are looking for motivated students with an interest in materials engineering, structural design, and the development of sustainable solutions for the concrete construction industry.
The expected duration of the thesis is between three and six months. The scope and level of detail will be adapted accordingly. Supervision will be provided primarily by engineers from Kahnt & Tietze GmbH, based in Leipzig and Dresden, in close collaboration with academic staff from the participating university.
Contact person:
Kahnt & Tietze Leipzig
Susanne Kirmse
Kahnt & Tietze Dresden
Michael Frenzel
Kahnt & Tietze GmbH
Headquarter: Anna-Kuhnow-Straße 39, 04317 Leipzig
Office: Ammonstraße 72, 01067 Dresden
www.kahnttietze.de
0341 39285 627
D - 22 Prestressed precast CRC floor slab
Full title: Development of a slender, prestressed precast floor slab with carbon reinforcement
Prestressed concrete hollow and prestressed TT slabs are very material-efficient and lightweight structures and make an important contribution to sustainability. Nevertheless, they must meet the requirements for durability, serviceability and load-bearing capacity. In building construction, the specifications for sound insulation and fire protection must also be complied with. Prestressing steel is currently used for prestressing. An alternative are carbon fabrics, which can be prestressed in strips and, compared to prestressing steel, allow thinner cross-sections, i.e. slimmer chords and webs.
The aim of the student project is to develop a slender, technically feasible, prestressed precast floor slab using carbon fabrics that is as resource- and material-efficient as possible. A parameter study will analyze which materials and geometries are most suitable for various practical applications. The student will be supervised by the architecture and engineering office Kahnt & Tietze, which develops innovative building systems with various partners. A workplace can be provided both in the office in Dresden and in Leipzig.
Contact person:
Dr.-Ing. Michael Frenzel
Kahnt & Tietze GmbH, Ammonstr. 72, 01067 Dresden
0341 39285 627