Mechanical strength, shrinkage, and porosity of mortar reinforced with areca nut husk fibers

Abstract

Cement-based materials perform well in compression but poorly in tension due to their brittleness. They also exhibit shrinkage cracking over time, which can be mitigated by incorporating fibers. Areca nut husk fiber (AHF) is agricultural waste, which is eco-friendly, light in weight, renewable, offers higher corrosion protection, and is a sustainable construction material. A novel application of AHF in a cement-based material has been undertaken. The effect of incorporating AHF (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.0% by volume of mortar) on the properties of mortar was investigated. Workability, mechanical strength (compressive, tensile, and flexural), shrinkage, and porosity tests were performed. The results were compared to those obtained with jute and coir fiber mortars, as no data on mortar/concrete containing AHF have been reported. The mechanical strength of the mortar was increased at an AHF content of 0.5%. Beyond this level, the strength declined but was not lower than that of the control mix (0% AHF). Furthermore, significant shrinkage mitigation was observed with an increase in the AHF percentage. The porosity of the mortar increased with an increase in the content of AHF. This study reveals that 0.5% AHF can be used in mortar, given its excellent performance among all mixes.