Effect of coconut fiber content on the mechanical properties of mortars

  • T. T. H. Bui
  • M. Boutouil
  • N. Sebaibi
  • D. Levacher
Keywords: Coconut fibre, mortar, workability, heat of hydration, compressive strength, flexural strength

Abstract

A research work program is undertaken to promote the use of green materials in civil engineering as a good solution to reduce the negative effects on the environment. Natural fibres are known as green alternatives for building materials. In present study, the impact of the mass of fibre on the mechanical properties of coconut fibre-reinforced mortar is investigated. The experiments in both fresh and hardened states of mortars were conducted in accordance with EN standards. Samples without fibre and with 1, 2, 3 vol.% fibres were cast and cured for 7, 14, 28 days. The results in hardened state of mortar indicated that the addition of fibres can reduce the compressive strength but increase the flexural strength of mortar in comparison with the mortar without fibre. The increase of water absorption capacity with the fibre content increase was also recorded with the increase of fibre content. Mortar incorporating 2% coconut fibres with 1.5 cm average length has the best mechanical properties. Moreover, a remarkable decrease of the workability of mortar incorporating coconut fibres was observed. However, the quantity of heat emitted in accordance with the development of the temperature of samples of freshly made mortars is decreased with the increased of fibre content.

Published
2019-06-26
How to Cite
Bui, T. T. H., Boutouil, M., Sebaibi, N., & Levacher, D. (2019). Effect of coconut fiber content on the mechanical properties of mortars. Academic Journal of Civil Engineering, 37(2), 300-307. https://doi.org/10.26168/icbbm2019.43