Abstract
The susceptibility of rendering mortars to cracking is a complex phenomenon. Fibers have been incorporated in mortars to ensure the durability of the render and can improve the flexural strength, fracture toughness, and impact resistance of the mortars. Aside from the better cracking performance of fiber reinforced mortars, natural fibers have been a path to reducing the environmental impacts of construction materials. Recycling has high sustainability-related potential as it can both mitigate the amount of waste being inadequately disposed and reduce the consumption of natural raw materials. Studies on the incorporation of waste in civil engineering materials have been growing, and recycled fibers may be feasible to incorporate in mortars. Natural fibers are considered as a viable replacement for synthetic ones. Several studies have investigated vegetal fibers in cementitious composites. However, only a few have focused on the incorporation of waste animal-based fiber. The aim of this work is to analyze the feasibility of the use of natural sheep’s wool fibers on the reinforcement of mortars and in particular to improve their cracking behavior. For this purpose, two different binders were used: cement and cement-lime mortars were produced. The incorporation of 10% and 20% (in volume) of 1.5 cm and 3.0 cm wool fibers was analyzed. The results show that the incorporation of wool fibers increased the ductility of the mortars and improved their mechanical properties.
Highlights
The construction sector has been trying to reduce its environmental impacts
The benefits of fiber reinforcement in cementitious materials depend on the fiber type, their geometry, and their volume ratio and distribution [3]
The results showed an increase of about 30% in the flexural strength of the modified mortars
Summary
The construction sector has been trying to reduce its environmental impacts. Eco-friendly constituents have been an alternative to develop new cementitious materials. In order to enhance the cracking performance of mortars, the incorporation of natural fibers can contribute to better performance while ensuring a sustainable approach. Natural fibers such as sheep wool may improve the ductility of cementitious composites and provide an adequate disposal of the waste [1]. The incorporation of fibers enhances a better post-cracking behavior due to the higher fracture toughness, flexural strength, and impact resistance of the mortars [2]. The benefits of fiber reinforcement in cementitious materials depend on the fiber type, their geometry, and their volume ratio and distribution [3]. The use of natural fibers compared to man-made fibers has been achieving environmental, energy, and resource conservation benefits [4]. The study focused on animal-based fibers, namely sheep’s wool fibers
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