Effects of the Incorporation of Waste Fibres on the Cracking Resistance of Mortars: A Review

Abstract

The environmental awareness has prompted the construction industry to develop sustainable materials. Fibrereinforced composites are considered a pontential alternative to improve the durability of construction materials. These additions may also increase the deformation capacity and the energy absorption of the composite. Besides increasing the coating durability, recycled fibres may promote environmental gains. This paper presents a review of the researches done with recycled fibres, both synthetic and natural, and discusses fibre characteristics, properties and treatments to improve the performance of the composites. Therefore, considering previous studies, this work intends to analyse the incorporation of different kinds of recycled fibres to achieve better performance of cement mortars in terms of cracking resistance, impact strength and durability, without significant decrease in mechanical strength and water absorption. This article also intends to characterise the feasibility of the incorporation of waste fibres in cement mortars that could reduce their modulus of elasticity and increase their deformation capacity, to improve their resistance to cracking, based on previous works of the literature. The results suggest that the fibre incorporation provides an improvement in the cracking performance of the mortars. Parameters as length, type and treatment of the fibres are meaningful.

Evaluation of the behavior of mortars produced with fibers from the straw of carnauba: effects of the content of addition and length used

“…This assessment was carried out through the consistency test, according to procedures established by NBR 13276 [34];  The fibers were added at percentages of 3 and 5% in relation to the cement weight. The choice of these contents was based on preliminary studies and also on previous studies that showed that high natural fiber contents contribute to reduce the workability of mortars [3,33];…”

“…It should be noted that none of these studies investigates the use of CSF in mortars, which suggests that the present study is pioneering, promising and with the potential to encourage the emergence of new research. Based on these factors and considering that the content and length of the fibers influence the performance of composites [33], this study evaluated the effects of different percentages (3% and 5%) and lengths (20 mm, 40 mm and 60 mm) of CSF in the physical and mechanical properties of cement-based mortars. It aiming to improve the behavior of mortars with regard to cracking and contribute to obtaining sustainable built environments, favoring the circular economy due to the creation of jobs related to new uses of native plants in civil construction.…”

Análise das propriedades físico-mecânicas de argamassas de revestimento com a incorporação de fibras de polipropileno e nylon

“…O efeito das fibras sintéticas adicionadas às argamassas de revestimento é dificultar a propagação de fissuras e trincas, as fibras acabam funcionando como uma espécie de barreira nesta propagação, pois para que a fissura se propague é necessário o arrancamento ou ruptura da fibra, ou ainda que a fissura contorne a fibra [6]. As fibras sintéticas também podem sofrer deformações, aumentar a resistência e, assim, permitir melhorar o desempenho da argamassa de revestimento [19,20]. As fibras de polipropileno e nylon são algumas das fibras sintéticas utilizadas para melhorar o desempenho das argamassas de revestimento [17,21,22], classificadas como fibras do tipo polimérico e que possuem um baixo módulo de elasticidade.…”