The use of human hairs as a fiber-reinforcement in cementbased mortars

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced mortars are widely used in the construction industry due to the better mechanical performances at both fresh and hardened stage. Not only industrial fibers can be added to the cementitious matrix, but also bio-based materials can be effectively used as fiberreinforcement. Among all the natural fibers, human hairs are herein proposed as a possible alternative to the current polymeric fibers. Accordingly, three point bending tests have been performed on three series of beams: plain mortar, mortar reinforced with 10 grams of human hairs, and mortar reinforced with 10 grams of industrial polyethylene fibers. In all the cases, flexural strength is not modified by the presence of fibers or hairs. Conversely, with respect to plain mortars, the flexural toughness increases of more than 5 times when human hairs or plastic fibers are added. In other words, animal fibers, like hairs, do improve the toughness performances of cementitious mortars, and can effectively substitute industrial fibers made with fossil-based materials.