Effect of cantala fiber as textile reinforcement on the flexural behaviour of polymer modified mortar

Abstract

Abstract. Cantala (Agave cantala), plant of the family Asparagaceae and its fibers, belongs to the leaf fibers group. These fibers are made into coarse twines at about 1.2 mm in diameter. The yarns of the cantala fiber are then interwoven to create textile reinforcements at two meshing size i.e. 5 x 20 mm and 10x20 mm. The textiles are used to reinforce polymer modified mortars to improve flexural properties of the mortars. This research aims to investigate the effect of textile reinforcement made from cantala fiber on the flexural behaviour of polymer modified mortar especially its strain hardening response. The parameters to be observed include strength, stiffness, thoughness, ductility and residual strength. The effect of the meshing size of the textile reinforcement on those properties are assesed. In addition, the efficacy of the cantala fiber textile reinforcement to improve the flexural properties of polymer modified mortar is compared with textile reinforcement made from wire mesh. The results indicate that an inclusion of short fibers could alter the post-peak behaviour of the mortar from brittle to ductile failure with softening response. Futher reinforcement of this mortar with cantala fiber textile would turn the softening response to a strain hardening response. The presence of cantala fiber textile reinforcement has minor effect on the flexural strength and stiffness. However, it significantly improve the thoughness, ductility and residual strength of the mortar. Cantala fiber textile reinforcement with a meshing size of 5x20 mm gives a greater increase on those post-peak properties compared to the the one with a meshing size of 10x20 mm. When comparison is made to the wire mesh, both cantala fiber textile reinforcements show a better properties.