Valorization of Vegetal Fibers in Anti-Fissuration Screed Mortar Formulation

Abstract

This work, which is part of the FIBRABETON project, aims to anti-fissuration screed formulations proposition based on natural fibers and comparing these formulations to a synthetic fiber-screed formulation. Different natural fiber (hemp, flax, miscanthus and bamboo) with contents rangingfrom 0.4% to 0.8% were tested. The spread (slump), the shrinkage and mechanical strength (flexural and compressive) studies were carried out. SEM images of natural fibers and natural fibers screed formulation were analyzed. Overall, it is found that all natural fibers screed formulations tested, have shown better behaviour than the synthetic fibers screed formulation in point of view workability, shrinkage and mechanical properties. The lowest shrinkage value is found in the case of the H5 (5 mm long hemp fibers) screed formulation. Generally speaking, the mechanical strength values (flexural and compressive) are more or less similar between natural soft fibers (hemp and flax) and rigid fibers (miscanthus and bamboo). Taking in account slump, shrinkage and mechanical behavior, the proposed good compromise in this work is the H5 screed formulation.