Recycled fishing nets as reinforcement of existing concrete structures

Large amounts of fishing nets are discarded every year polluting the oceans with plastic fibers on a global scale. Due to the big fishing industry in Greenland an alternative use for discarded fishing nets would have a decreasing effect on the amount of marine litter in the Arctic. A use for discarded fishing nets could be as fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for near surface mounted reinforcement (NSMR). NSMR prolongs the lifetime of existing structures, and thus reduces the amount of materials transported to Greenland, reducing CO2-emission and expenses. The effect of NSMR FRP bars made from discarded fishing nets is examined with regards to formation of cracks, load and failure of the beam. Results show a tendency for beams with NSMR FRP bars to prolong the linear elastic region, thus postponing the formation of cracks. Further, a tendency for reducing formation of cracks in the shear zone and resisting a higher load, is seen. A method for casting NSMR FRP bars with discarded fishing nets is developed, evaluated and suggestions for improvements have been made. This study paves the way for the possibility of using discarded fishing nets as NSMR FRP bars, but requires further studies.