Influence of Polypropylene Fibre on Strength and Workability Properties of Cement Mortar

Abstract

In reality mortar differs from concrete in working consistencies. Voids between the coarse aggregate particles are providing that the volume of coarse aggregate is not excessive. Thus, three mortars mix with different sand to cement ratios (1:1.5, 1:2 &1:2.5) are considered and different volume fraction of polypropylene fibres were added to each mortar mixes then workability and strengths for each mix were examined and compared with a reference mortar mix (mix with no fibre). The maximum compressive strength for the two rich mixes (1:1.5 &1:2) increased by 22% and 25% respectively in the fibre volume fraction of 0.5% while the compressive strength of the mortar mix with the lowest cement amount (1:2.5) continuously decreased with the increase of volume fraction of polypropylene fibre. The maximum tensile strength for the mixes (1:1.5 &1:2) attained at a fibre volume fraction of 0.6% increased about 50%. On the other hand, the tensile strength of the low cement mortar mix (1:2.5) increased with the increase of the fibre content. The flexure strength value of polypropylene fibre reinforced cement mortar has increased continuously with the increase of fibre polymer content for all mortar mix ratios. While workability of the three mixes reduced every time, the fibre content increased in the mixes.